US20100103845A1 - Cell relay mobility procedures - Google Patents

Abstract

Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate performing intra-cluster and inter-cluster reselection for relay eNBs. In intra-cluster reselection, a relay eNB can reselect a disparate relay eNB and indicate its identifier in a bearer list update message. The disparate relay eNB and upstream eNBs (including the donor eNB) can update routing tables based at least in part on the identifier. In addition, the relay eNB can provide identifiers of downstream relay eNBs to facilitate updating routing tables for those identifiers as well. In an inter-cluster reselection, relay eNBs can release connection to downstream relay eNBs and re-attach to a wireless network to receive an identifier from a new donor eNB in the new cluster. Alternatively, the relay eNB can request an identifier from the donor eNB during reselection, notify downstream relay eNBs of the reselection, and/or request identifiers for one or more downstream relay eNBs.

Description

CLAIM OF PRIORITY UNDER 35 U.S.C. §119
• The present Application for Patent claims priority to Provisional Application No. 61/108,287 entitled “CELL RELAY BASE STATION FOR LTE” filed Oct. 24, 2008, and assigned to the assignee hereof and hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND
• 1. Field
• The following description relates generally to wireless communications, and more particularly to wireless network mobility procedures for cell relays and other devices.
• 2. Background
• Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication content such as, for example, voice, data, and so on. Typical wireless communication systems may be multiple-access systems capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources (e.g., bandwidth, transmit power, . . . ). Examples of such multiple-access systems may include code division multiple access (CDMA) systems, time division multiple access (TDMA) systems, frequency division multiple access (FDMA) systems, orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) systems, and the like. Additionally, the systems can conform to specifications such as third generation partnership project (3GPP), 3GPP long term evolution (LTE), ultra mobile broadband (UMB), and/or multi-carrier wireless specifications such as evolution data optimized (EV-DO), one or more revisions thereof, etc.
• Generally, wireless multiple-access communication systems may simultaneously support communication for multiple mobile devices. Each mobile device may communicate with one or more access points (e.g., base stations) via transmissions on forward and reverse links. The forward link (or downlink) refers to the communication link from access points to mobile devices, and the reverse link (or uplink) refers to the communication link from mobile devices to access points. Further, communications between mobile devices and access points may be established via single-input single-output (SISO) systems, multiple-input single-output (MISO) systems, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems, and so forth. Access points, however, can be limited in geographic coverage area as well as resources such that mobile devices near edges of coverage and/or devices in areas of high traffic can experience degraded quality of communications from an access point.
• Cell relays can be provided to expand network capacity and coverage area by facilitating communication between mobile devices and access points. For example, a cell relay can establish a backhaul link with a donor access point, which can provide access to a number of cell relays, and the cell relay can establish an access link with one or more mobile devices or additional cell relays. To mitigate modification to backend core network components, communication interfaces, such as S1-U, can terminate at the donor access point. Thus, the donor access point appears as a normal access point to backend network components. To this end, the donor access point can route packets from the backend network components to the cell relays for communicating to the mobile devices.
SUMMARY
• The following presents a simplified summary of one or more aspects in order to provide a basic understanding of such aspects. This summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated aspects, and is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of all aspects nor delineate the scope of any or all aspects. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more aspects in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
• In accordance with one or more aspects and corresponding disclosure thereof, various aspects are described in connection with facilitating wireless network mobility for cell relays and/or devices communicating therewith. In particular, a cell relay can reselect to one or more disparate cell relays in a cluster provided by a donor node. In this example, the cell relay can perform handover to the one or more disparate cell relays using similar handover procedures as user equipment (UE), and upstream cell relays and/or donor nodes can update routing tables to associate the cell relay with the one or more disparate downstream cell relays. In another example, where the cell relay reselects to one or more disparate cell relays in a disparate cluster provided by a disparate donor node, the cell relay can additionally perform procedures for requesting/receiving a new identifier from the disparate donor node and/or one or more intermediary cell relays in the disparate cluster. Also in this example, however, downstream cell relays connected to the cell relay can request/receive a new identifier from the disparate donor node and/or intermediary cell relays. Similarly, upstream cell relays and donor node can update routing tables with the new identifiers assigned to the cell relay and its downstream cell relays where present.
• According to related aspects, a method is provided that includes communicating with a relay eNB to receive access to a wireless network and establishing a connection with a disparate relay eNB to facilitate reselecting the disparate relay eNB where the disparate relay eNB and relay eNB communicate with a same donor eNB to provide wireless network access. The method further includes transmitting a bearer list update message to the disparate relay eNB comprising an identifier previously assigned by the donor eNB.
• Another aspect relates to a wireless communications apparatus. The wireless communications apparatus can include at least one processor configured to communicate with a relay eNB to receive access to a wireless network and initiate reselection to a disparate relay eNB that communicates with a same donor eNB as the relay eNB. The at least one processor is further configured transmit a bearer list update message to the disparate relay eNB comprising an identifier of the wireless communications apparatus assigned by the donor eNB. The wireless communications apparatus also comprises a memory coupled to the at least one processor.
• Yet another aspect relates to an apparatus. The apparatus includes means for initiating reselection from a relay eNB to a disparate relay eNB that utilizes a same donor eNB to provide access to a wireless network. The apparatus also means for generating a bearer list update message comprising an identifier of the apparatus and transmitting the bearer list update message during reselection.
• Still another aspect relates to a computer program product, which can have a computer-readable medium including code for causing at least one computer to communicate with a relay eNB to receive access to a wireless network. The computer-readable medium can also comprise code for causing the at least one computer to establish a connection with a disparate relay eNB to facilitate reselecting the disparate relay eNB where the disparate relay eNB and the relay eNB communicate with a same donor eNB to provide wireless network access and code for causing the at least one computer to transmit a bearer list update message to the disparate relay eNB comprising an identifier previously assigned by the donor eNB.
• Moreover, an additional aspect relates to an apparatus including a reselection initiating component that initializes reselection from a relay eNB to a disparate relay eNB that utilizes a same donor eNB to provide access to a wireless network. The apparatus can further include an update message generating component that creates a bearer list update message comprising an identifier of the apparatus and transmits the bearer list update message during reselection.
• According to another aspect, a method is provided that includes receiving a bearer list update message from a relay eNB during reselection for the relay eNB. The method also includes determining an identifier of the relay eNB from the bearer list update message and associating the identifier of the relay eNB to a bearer identifier of a next downstream relay eNB in a communication path to the relay eNB in a routing table.
• Another aspect relates to a wireless communications apparatus. The wireless communications apparatus can include at least one processor configured to obtain a bearer list update message from a relay eNB during reselection for the relay eNB and discern an identifier of the relay eNB from the bearer list update message. The at least one processor is further configured to store the identifier of the relay eNB with a bearer identifier of a next downstream relay eNB in a communication path to the relay eNB in a routing table. The wireless communications apparatus also comprises a memory coupled to the at least one processor.
• Yet another aspect relates to an apparatus. The apparatus includes means for receiving a bearer list update message from a relay eNB during reselection for the relay eNB and means for determining an identifier of the relay eNB from the bearer list update message. The apparatus also includes means for storing an association between the identifier of the relay eNB and a bearer identifier of a next downstream relay eNB in a communication path to the relay eNB in a routing table.
• Still another aspect relates to a computer program product, which can have a computer-readable medium including code for causing at least one computer to receive a bearer list update message from a relay eNB during reselection for the relay eNB and code for causing the at least one computer to determine an identifier of the relay eNB from the bearer list update message. The computer-readable medium can also comprise code for causing the at least one computer to associate the identifier of the relay eNB to a bearer identifier of a next downstream relay eNB in a communication path to the relay eNB in a routing table.
• Moreover, an additional aspect relates to an apparatus including an update message receiving component that obtains a bearer list update message from a relay eNB during reselection for the relay eNB. The apparatus can further include a parameter parsing component that determines an identifier of the relay eNB from the bearer list update message and a routing table component that stores an association between the identifier of the relay eNB and a bearer identifier of a next downstream relay eNB in a communication path to the relay eNB in a routing table.
• In another aspect, a method is provided that includes communicating with a relay eNB to receive access to a wireless network and establishing a connection with a disparate relay eNB to facilitate reselecting the disparate relay eNB where the disparate relay eNB and relay eNB communicate with disparate donor eNBs to provide wireless network access. The method also includes transmitting an identifier request to the disparate relay eNB to facilitate assignment of a unique identifier at the disparate donor eNB.
• Another aspect relates to a wireless communications apparatus. The wireless communications apparatus can include at least one processor configured to receive wireless network access from a relay eNB and initiate reselection to a disparate relay eNB that communicates with a disparate donor eNB than the relay eNB to provide wireless network access. The at least one processor is further configured to transmit an identifier request to the disparate relay eNB to facilitate assigning a unique identifier to the wireless communications apparatus by the disparate donor eNB. The wireless communications apparatus also comprises a memory coupled to the at least one processor.
• Yet another aspect relates to an apparatus. The apparatus includes means for initiating reselection from a relay eNB to a disparate relay eNB that utilizes a disparate donor eNB to provide access to a wireless network than the relay eNB. The apparatus also includes means for transmitting an identifier request to facilitate assignment of a unique identifier at the disparate donor eNB.
• Still another aspect relates to a computer program product, which can have a computer-readable medium including code for causing at least one computer to communicate with a relay eNB to receive access to a wireless network. The computer-readable medium can also comprise code for causing the at least one computer to establish a connection with a disparate relay eNB to facilitate reselecting the disparate relay eNB where the disparate relay eNB communicates with a disparate donor eNB to provide wireless network access than the relay eNB and code for causing the at least one computer to transmit an identifier request to the disparate relay eNB to facilitate assignment of a unique identifier at the disparate donor eNB.
• Moreover, an additional aspect relates to an apparatus including a reselection initiating component that initializes a reselection from a relay eNB to a disparate relay eNB that utilizes a disparate donor eNB to provide access to a wireless network than the relay eNB. The apparatus can further include a requesting component that transmits an identifier request to facilitate assignment of a unique identifier at the disparate donor eNB.
• In additional aspects, a method is provided that includes receiving an identifier request from a relay eNB during reselection for the relay eNB. The method also includes obtaining an identifier for the relay eNB and associating the identifier of the relay eNB to a bearer identifier of a next downstream relay eNB in a communication path to the relay eNB in a routing table.
• Another aspect relates to a wireless communications apparatus. The wireless communications apparatus can include at least one processor configured to receive an identifier request from a relay eNB during reselection for the relay eNB. The at least one processor is further configured to obtain an identifier for the relay eNB and associate the identifier of the relay eNB in a routing table along with a bearer identifier of a next downstream relay eNB in a communication path to the relay eNB. The wireless communications apparatus also comprises a memory coupled to the at least one processor.
• Yet another aspect relates to an apparatus. The apparatus includes means for receiving an identifier request from a relay eNB during reselection for the relay eNB and means for obtaining an identifier for the relay eNB. The apparatus also includes means for storing an association between the identifier of the relay eNB and a bearer identifier of a next downstream relay eNB in a communication path to the relay eNB in a routing table.
• Still another aspect relates to a computer program product, which can have a computer-readable medium including code for causing at least one computer to receive an identifier request from a relay eNB during reselection for the relay eNB and code for causing the at least one computer to obtain an identifier for the relay eNB. The computer-readable medium can also comprise code for causing the at least one computer to associate the identifier of the relay eNB to a bearer identifier of a next downstream relay eNB in a communication path to the relay eNB in a routing table.
• Moreover, an additional aspect relates to an apparatus including an identifier request receiving component that obtains an identifier request from a relay eNB during reselection for the relay eNB and an identifier receiving component that obtains an identifier for the relay eNB. The apparatus can further include a routing table component that stores an association between the identifier of the relay eNB and a bearer identifier of a next downstream relay eNB in a communication path to the relay eNB in a routing table.
• To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the one or more aspects comprise the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims. The following description and the annexed drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative features of the one or more aspects. These features are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of various aspects may be employed and this description is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is an illustration of an example wireless communications system that facilitates providing relays for wireless networks.
• FIG. 2 is an illustration of an example wireless communications system that facilitates intra-cluster reselection to a disparate relay eNB.
• FIG. 3 is an illustration of an example wireless communications system that provides a bearer list update message to reselect an intra-cluster relay eNB.
• FIG. 4 is an illustration of an example wireless communications system that facilitates transmitting bearer list update messages and updating routing tables in intra-cluster relay eNB reselection.
• FIG. 5 is an illustration of an example wireless communications system that facilitates inter-cluster reselection to a disparate relay eNB.
• FIG. 6 is an illustration of an example wireless communications system that reselects an inter-cluster relay eNB by requesting identifiers therefrom.
• FIG. 7 is an illustration of an example wireless communications system that reselects an inter-cluster relay eNB by requesting an identifier therefrom and notifies downstream nodes of the reselection.
• FIG. 8 is an illustration of an example wireless communications system that reselects an inter-cluster relay eNB by re-attaching to the wireless network.
• FIG. 9 is an illustration of an example wireless communications system that utilizes cell relays to provide access to a wireless network.
• FIG. 10 is an illustration of an example methodology that transmits a bearer list update message in reselecting to an intra-cluster relay eNB.
• FIG. 11 is an illustration of an example methodology that receives a bearer list update message during an intra-cluster relay eNB reselection.
• FIG. 12 is an illustration of an example methodology that transmits an identifier request in reselecting to an inter-cluster relay eNB.
• FIG. 13 is an illustration of an example methodology that receives an identifier request during an inter-cluster relay eNB reselection.
• FIG. 14 is an illustration of a wireless communication system in accordance with various aspects set forth herein.
• FIG. 15 is an illustration of an example wireless network environment that can be employed in conjunction with the various systems and methods described herein.
• FIG. 16 is an illustration of an example system that facilitates transmitting a bearer list update message in reselecting to an intra-cluster relay eNB.
• FIG. 17 is an illustration of an example system that facilitates receiving a bearer list update message during an intra-cluster relay eNB reselection.
• FIG. 18 is an illustration of an example system that facilitates transmitting an identifier request in reselecting to an inter-cluster relay eNB.
• FIG. 19 is an illustration of an example system that facilitates receiving an identifier request during an inter-cluster relay eNB reselection.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• Various aspects are now described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of one or more aspects. It may be evident, however, that such aspect(s) may be practiced without these specific details.
• As used in this application, the terms “component,” “module,” “system” and the like are intended to include a computer-related entity, such as but not limited to hardware, firmware, a combination of hardware and software, software, or software in execution. For example, a component may be, but is not limited to being, a process running on a processor, a processor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution, a program, and/or a computer. By way of illustration, both an application running on a computing device and the computing device can be a component. One or more components can reside within a process and/or thread of execution and a component may be localized on one computer and/or distributed between two or more computers. In addition, these components can execute from various computer readable media having various data structures stored thereon. The components may communicate by way of local and/or remote processes such as in accordance with a signal having one or more data packets, such as data from one component interacting with another component in a local system, distributed system, and/or across a network such as the Internet with other systems by way of the signal.
• Furthermore, various aspects are described herein in connection with a terminal, which can be a wired terminal or a wireless terminal A terminal can also be called a system, device, subscriber unit, subscriber station, mobile station, mobile, mobile device, remote station, remote terminal, access terminal, user terminal, terminal, communication device, user agent, user device, or user equipment (UE). A wireless terminal may be a cellular telephone, a satellite phone, a cordless telephone, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld device having wireless connection capability, a computing device, or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem. Moreover, various aspects are described herein in connection with a base station. A base station may be utilized for communicating with wireless terminal(s) and may also be referred to as an access point, a Node B, or some other terminology.
• Moreover, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive “or.” That is, unless specified otherwise, or clear from the context, the phrase “X employs A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That is, the phrase “X employs A or B” is satisfied by any of the following instances: X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both A and B. In addition, the articles “a” and “an” as used in this application and the appended claims should generally be construed to mean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from the context to be directed to a singular form.
• The techniques described herein may be used for various wireless communication systems such as CDMA, TDMA, FDMA, OFDMA, SC-FDMA and other systems. The terms “system” and “network” are often used interchangeably. A CDMA system may implement a radio technology such as Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA), cdma2000, etc. UTRA includes Wideband-CDMA (W-CDMA) and other variants of CDMA. Further, cdma2000 covers IS-2000, IS-95 and IS-856 standards. A TDMA system may implement a radio technology such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM). An OFDMA system may implement a radio technology such as Evolved UTRA (E-UTRA), Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, Flash-OFDM, etc. UTRA and E-UTRA are part of Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS). 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) is a release of UMTS that uses E-UTRA, which employs OFDMA on the downlink and SC-FDMA on the uplink. UTRA, E-UTRA, UMTS, LTE and GSM are described in documents from an organization named “3rd Generation Partnership Project” (3GPP). Additionally, cdma2000 and UMB are described in documents from an organization named “3rd Generation Partnership Project 2” (3GPP2). Further, such wireless communication systems may additionally include peer-to-peer (e.g., mobile-to-mobile) ad hoc network systems often using unpaired unlicensed spectrums, 802.xx wireless LAN, BLUETOOTH and any other short- or long-range, wireless communication techniques.
• Various aspects or features will be presented in terms of systems that may include a number of devices, components, modules, and the like. It is to be understood and appreciated that the various systems may include additional devices, components, modules, etc. and/or may not include all of the devices, components, modules etc. discussed in connection with the figures. A combination of these approaches may also be used.
• Referring toFIG. 1, awireless communication system100 is illustrated that facilitates providing relay functionality in wireless networks.System100 includes adonor eNB102 that provides one or more relay eNBs, such asrelay eNB104, with access to acore network106. Similarly, relayeNB104 can provide one or more disparate relay eNBs, such asrelay eNB108, or UEs, such asUE110, with access to thecore network106 viadonor eNB102.Donor eNB102, which can also be referred to as a cluster eNB, can communicate with thecore network106 over a wired or wireless backhaul link, which can be an LTE or other technology backhaul link. In one example, thecore network106 can be a 3GPP LTE or similar technology network.
• Donor eNB102 can additionally provide an access link forrelay eNB104, which can also be wired or wireless, LTE or other technologies, and therelay eNB104 can communicate with thedonor eNB102 using a backhaul link over the access link of thedonor eNB102.Relay eNB104 can similarly provide an access link for relay eNB108 and/orUE110, which can be a wired or wireless LTE or other technology link. In one example,donor eNB102 can provide an LTE access link, to whichrelay eNB104 can connect using an LTE backhaul, and relayeNB104 can provide an LTE access link to relayeNB108 and/orUE110.Donor eNB102 can connect to thecore network106 over a disparate backhaul link technology.Relay eNB108 and/orUE110 can connect to therelay eNB104 using the LTE access link to receive access tocore network106, as described. A donor eNB and connected relay eNBs can be collectively referred to herein as a cluster.
• According to an example, relayeNB104 can connect to adonor eNB102 at the link layer (e.g., media access control (MAC) layer) as would a UE in regular LTE configurations. In this regard,donor eNB102 can be a regular LTE eNB requiring no changes at the link layer or related interface (e.g., E-UTRA-Uu) to support therelay eNB104. In addition,relay eNB104 can appear toUE110 as a regular eNB at the link layer, such that no changes are required forUE110 to connect to relayeNB104 at the link layer, for example. In addition,relay eNB104 can configure procedures for resource partitioning between access and backhaul link, interference management, idle mode cell selection for a cluster, and/or the like.
• With respect to transport layer communications, transport protocols related to relayeNB108 orUE110 communications can terminate at thedonor eNB102, referred to as cell relay functionality, since therelay eNB104 is like a cell of thedonor eNB102. For example, in a cell relay configuration,donor eNB102 can receive communications for therelay eNB104 from thecore network106, terminate the transport protocol, and forward the communications to therelay eNB104 over a disparate transport layer keeping the application layer substantially intact. It is to be appreciated that the forwarding transport protocol type can be the same as the terminated transport protocol type, but is a different transport layer established with therelay eNB104.
• Relay eNB104 can determine a relay eNB or UE related to the communications, and provide the communications to the relay eNB or UE (e.g., based on an identifier thereof within the communications). Similarly,donor eNB102 can terminate the transport layer protocol for communications received fromrelay eNB104, translate the communications to a disparate transport protocol, and transmit the communications over the disparate transport protocol to thecore network106 with the application layer intact forrelay eNB104 as a cell relay. In these examples, whererelay eNB104 is communicating with another relay eNB, therelay eNB104 can support application protocol routing to ensure communications reach the correct relay eNB.
• Moreover, application layer protocols can terminate at upstream eNBs. Thus, for example, application layer protocols for relay eNB108 andUE110 can terminate atrelay eNB104, and similarly forrelay eNB104 can terminate atdonor eNB102. The transport and application layer protocols, for example, can relate to S1-U, S1-MME, and/or X2 interfaces. S1-U interface can be utilized to communicate in a data plane between a node and a serving gateway (not shown) of thecore network106. S1-MME interface can be utilized for control plane communications between a node and a mobility management entity (MME) (not shown) of thecore network106. X2 interface can be utilized for communications between eNBs. In addition, for example,donor eNB102 can communicate with other relay eNBs to allow communications therebetween over the access network (e.g., relayeNB104 can communicate with one or more additional relay eNBs connected to donor eNB102).
• According to an example, relay eNBs, such asrelay eNB108, can reselect various relay eNBs and/or donor eNBs (not shown) to retain connection tocore network106. For example, relayeNB108 can reselect the various relay eNBs and/or donor eNBs as it travels throughout acore network106 coverage area to facilitate seamless network access. In one example, relayeNB108 can reselect intra-cluster, which can refer to reselecting to a disparate relay eNB in the cluster provided by donor eNB102 (not shown) and/ordonor eNB102 itself. In this example, relayeNB108 can perform reselection to the disparate relay eNB using a similar procedure as a UE communicating with core network106 (e.g., UE110), wherecore network106 is a 3GPP LTE or similar evolved 3GPP network. In addition, however, relayeNB108 can perform additional steps in the reselection to facilitate providing relevant information to one or more downstream or upstream nodes for the reselection.
• For example,donor eNB102 can assign an identifier (e.g., a tunnel endpoint identifier (TEID), etc.), or a portion thereof, to relayeNB108 uponrelay eNB108 attaching tocore network106.Donor eNB102 can additionally store the identifier, or portion thereof, in a routing table along with an identifier (e.g., a cell radio network temporary identifier (C-RNTI), etc.) of a next downstream relay eNB in the communication path to relayeNB108, which can berelay eNB104, in this example, to facilitate subsequent packet routing among the various eNBs. Similarly, relayeNB104 can store the identifier, or portion, with an identifier of a next downstream relay eNB, which can berelay eNB108 in this example. It is to be appreciated that other intermediary relay eNBs can exist in the communication path betweenrelay eNB108 anddonor eNB102, and the intermediary relay eNBs can similarly store an association between the identifier ofrelay eNB108 assigned bydonor eNB102 and a radio identifier of the next downstream relay eNB.
• In this regard, during intra-cluster reselection, relayeNB108 can inform the target relay eNB (e.g., the relay eNB to whichrelay eNB108 desires to connect) of the reselection by providing a bearer list update message and can include its identifier assigned bydonor eNB102 in the bearer list update message. The target relay eNB (not shown) can update its routing table with an entry associating the received identifier along with a radio identifier ofrelay eNB108 and can transmit the bearer list update message to an upstream relay eNB in the communications path todonor eNB102 ordonor eNB102, where no other relay eNBs are present in the communications path. Where an entry already exists forrelay eNB108 in its routing table, the target relay eNB can update the entry to reflect the appropriate downstream relay eNB radio identifier where it has changed. It is to be appreciated that intermediary relay eNBs can similarly store the identifier forrelay eNB108 with a radio identifier of a next downstream relay eNB from which the bearer list update message is received and forward the message to the next eNB in the communication path.Donor eNB102, upon receiving the bearer list update message, can similarly update its routing table to modify the current entry forrelay eNB108 to reflect the appropriate next downstream relay eNB where it has changed.
• In addition, whererelay eNB108 performs an inter-cluster reselection, which can refer to a reselection to a relay eNB or donor eNB in a disparate cluster (not shown), additional procedures can be performed as part of the reselection. For example, relayeNB108 can require a new identifier for the new cluster, as can any downstream relay eNBs (not shown) connected to relay eNB108 (e.g., directly or through one or more intermediary relay eNBs). Thus, in one example, relayeNB108 can collect parameters regarding its downstream relay eNBs upon initiating a reselection procedure, and can transmit the parameters tocore network106.Core network106 can initiate bearer setup procedures, and the target donor eNB (not shown) can assign an identifier, or portion, to therelay eNB108, as well as the downstream relay eNBs underrelay eNB108.
• The target donor eNB can store the identifier in a routing table along with a next downstream relay eNB in the communication path to relayeNB108 and can additionally transmit the various identifiers to the next downstream relay eNB. The next downstream relay eNB can store the various identifiers in its routing table along with a next downstream relay eNB identifier in the communication path to relayeNB108, if present, and so on. Once the identifiers reachrelay eNB108, it can update the identifiers in its routing table to reflect the newly assigned identifiers and can forward the identifiers to the respective next downstream relay eNB in the respective communication paths. The next downstream relay eNBs can perform similar updating procedures.
• In another example, as part of a procedure for inter-cluster reselection, relayeNB108 can request an identifier from the target donor eNB during reselection without gathering information of the connected downstream relay eNBs. Upon performing reselection, relayeNB108 can inform the connected downstream relay eNBs, which can similarly perform reselection procedures requesting new identifier from the target donor eNB. In yet another example, as part of a procedure for inter-cluster reselection, relayeNB108 can release its radio connection with all connected downstream relay eNBs (and UEs if present). In this example, the previously connected downstream relay eNBs and UEs (and/or relay eNB108) can perform network attachment procedures to re-attach to the network via target donor eNB receiving a new identifier therefrom.
• Turning now toFIG. 2, awireless communication system200 is illustrated that facilitates intra-cluster cell relay reselection.System200 includes adonor eNB102 that provides one or more relay eNBs, such asrelay eNBs104 and202, with access to acore network106. Similarly, relayeNB104 can provide one or more disparate relay eNBs, such asrelay eNB108, with access to thecore network106 viadonor eNB102, and relayeNB108 can similarly providecore network106 access to relayeNBs204 and206.Donor eNB102, which can also be referred to as a cluster eNB, can communicate with thecore network106 over a wired or wireless backhaul link, which can be an LTE or other technology backhaul link. In one example, thecore network106 can be a 3GPP LTE or similar technology network.
• Donor eNB102 can additionally provide an access link for relay eNBs104 and202, which can also be wired or wireless, LTE or other technologies, as described. Similarly, relayeNBs104 and202 can communicate with thedonor eNB102 using a backhaul link over the access link of thedonor eNB102.Relay eNB104 can similarly provide an access link forrelay eNB108, as described, which can be a wired or wireless LTE or other technology link.Relay eNB108 can provide similar access links to relayeNBs204 and206.Donor eNB102 can connect to thecore network106 over a disparate backhaul link technology.
• According to an example, relayeNB108 can initiate intra-cluster reselection to relayeNB202, which communicates with thesame donor eNB102 asrelay eNB104. This can be based on a higher level of service provided byrelay eNB202, signal to noise ratio (SNR) over a certain threshold, and/or the like. Indeed, the reselection can be similar to and performed in similar cases as UE reselection incore network106. In this regard, in one example, relay eNB108 (and/or relayeNBs104 and202) can be mobile such that they travel throughout acore network106 coverage area.
• As described,relay eNB108 can perform similar reselection procedures as a UE to handover S1 interface to relayeNB202. In addition, however, relayeNB108 can perform specific steps to ensure proper packet routing to/fromcore network106 through the various donor and relay nodes. In an example, relayeNB108, upon initiating reselection to relayeNB202, can transmit a bearer list update message to relayeNB202 indicating bearer and/or identifier information forrelay eNB108, as well asrelay eNBs204 and206 (and any relay eNBs under relay eNBs204 and206, for example).Relay eNB202 can update its routing table by adding an entry for an identifier ofrelay eNB108 in the bearer list update message (e.g., an identifier previously assigned bydonor eNB102 such as a TEID or portion thereof) along with a bearer identifier forrelay eNB108.Relay eNB202 can additionally update its routing table adding entries for identifiers ofrelay eNBs204 and206 along with an association to the bearer identifier forrelay eNB108.
• Relay eNB202 can additionally forward the bearer list update message to donor eNB102 (or one or more intermediary relay eNBs, where present).Donor eNB102 can update its routing table by modifying its entry forrelay eNB108, which associates the assigned identifier forrelay eNB108 with a bearer identifier forrelay eNB104, to instead associate the assigned identifier with a bearer identifier forrelay eNB202. Likewise,donor eNB102 can update its routing table to associate identifiers ofrelay eNBs204 and206 with relay eNB202 (instead of relay eNB104). Thus, upon receiving downlink packets fromcore network106 comprising an identifier forrelay eNB108 or relayeNBs204 or206,donor eNB102 can consult its routing table to determine to forward the packet to relayeNB202 based on the associated bearer identifier.Relay eNB202, upon receiving the packet, can consult its routing table and determine to forward the packet to relayeNB108, and so on.
• Referring now toFIG. 3, an examplewireless communication system300 that facilitates performing intra-cluster reselection for cell relays is illustrated.System300 includes adonor eNB102 that provides relay eNBs104 and202 with access tocore network106. Additionally, as described,relay eNB104 can providerelay eNB108 with access to thecore network106 through thedonor eNB102. Moreover, for example, there can bemultiple relay eNBs104 between thedonor eNB102 and relayeNB108. In addition, it is to be appreciated that relay eNB108 (and relayeNBs202,204, and206) can comprise the components of relay eNB202 (and/or vice versa) to provide similar functionality, in one example, for reselection. Moreover,donor eNB102 can be a macrocell access point, femtocell access point, picocell access point, mobile base station, and/or the like. Relay eNBs104 (and relayeNBs108,202,204, and206) can similarly be mobile or stationary relay nodes that communicate with donor eNB102 (and relay eNB104) over a wireless or wired backhaul, as described.
• Donor eNB102 comprises an updatemessage receiving component302 that obtains a bearer list update message from a downstream relay eNB, aparameter parsing component304 that extracts one or more parameters regarding downstream relay eNBs from the bearer list update message, arouting table component306 that stores identifiers of relay eNBs (which can be assigned by donor eNB102) along with bearer identifiers for next downstream relay eNBs in the communication path to the relay eNBs, and apacket routing component308 that forwards packets received fromcore network106 to next downstream relay eNBs based on matching an identifier in the packet to an identifier stored by therouting table component306.
• Relay eNB202 comprises an updatemessage receiving component310 that obtains a bearer list update message from a downstream relay eNB and forwards the message to an upstream eNB, aparameter parsing component312 that obtains one or more parameters regarding downstream relay eNBs from the bearer list update message, arouting table component314 that stores identifiers of relay eNBs (which can be assigned by donor eNB102) along with bearer identifiers for next downstream relay eNBs in the communication path to the relay eNBs, and apacket routing component316 that forwards packets received from an upstream eNB to next downstream relay eNBs based on matching an identifier in the packet to an identifier stored by therouting table component314.
• Relay eNB108 includes areselection initiating component318 that can begin a procedure to reselect to a disparate relay eNB, a downstreamparameter gathering component320 that obtains one or more parameters, such as evolved packet system (EPS) bearer identifiers, assigned identifiers, bearer quality of service (QoS) parameters, etc., of downstream relay eNBs, an updatemessage generating component322 that creates a bearer list update message comprising the downstream relay eNB parameters and/or parameters related to relayeNB108, and apacket routing component324 that forwards packets received from an upstream eNB to relayeNBs204 and206, which can be based on an identifier in the packets and a routing table (not shown), as described with respect todonor eNB102 and relayeNB202.
• According to an example, relayeNB108 can communicate withdonor eNB102 viarelay eNB104. Thus,donor eNB102 can have assigned an identifier, such as a TEID or other relay identifier, to relayeNB108, androuting table component306 can have stored an association between the assigned identifier and a bearer identifier of the next downstream relay eNB in the communication path to relayeNB108, which isrelay eNB104.Reselection initiating component318, as described, can initiate reselection to relayeNB202 fromrelay eNB104. In this regard, reselection initiatingcomponent318 can perform UE type reselection procedures to handover S1 interface to relayeNB202. In addition, as part of the reselection, downstreamparameter gathering component320 can obtain one or more parameters related to relayeNBs204 and206, such as bearer identifiers, QoS parameters, eNB global identifiers (EGI), identifiers assigned bydonor eNB102, etc. Updatemessage generating component322 can compose a bearer list update message that includes at least a portion of the parameters for relay eNBs204 and206 and transmit the bearer list update message to its upstream target eNB, which isrelay eNB202, in this example.
• Updatemessage receiving component310 can obtain the bearer list update message, andparameter parsing component312 can extract one or more parameters from the bearer list update message related to downstream relay eNBs. For example,parameter parsing component312 can determine an identifier for each downstream relay eNB (e.g., relayeNB108 and/or relayeNBs202 and204) assigned bydonor eNB102.Routing table component314 can store an association between the assigned identifiers and a bearer identifier forrelay eNB108, which indicates the next downstream relay eNB in the communication path to the related relay eNB. Updatemessage receiving component310 can forward the bearer list update message todonor eNB102.
• Similarly, updatemessage receiving component302 can obtain the bearer list update message, andparameter parsing component304 can extract one or more parameters from the bearer list update message related to the downstream relay eNBs. For example,parameter parsing component304 can determine an identifier for each downstream relay eNB (e.g., relayeNB108 and/or relayeNBs202 and204) assigned bydonor eNB102.Routing table component306 can update stored associations for the assigned identifiers to associate to a bearer identifier of relay eNB202 (e.g., instead of relay eNB104), which indicates the next downstream relay eNB in the communication path to the related relay eNB. Updatemessage receiving component302 can additionally transmit an RRC connection reconfiguration message to relayeNB104 in response to receiving the bearer list update message, and updatemessage receiving component310 can forward the RRC connection reconfiguration message to relayeNB108.Reselection initiating component318 can receive the RRC connection reconfiguration message and can modify a radio bearer.Reselection initiating component318 can further transmit an RRC connection reconfiguration complete message to relayeNB104, as described further below. It is to be appreciated other upstream intermediary relay eNBs in the communications path betweenrelay eNB202 anddonor eNB102 can similarly update routing table entries (where present), since the intermediary relay eNBs can have a stored association for the identifiers generated bydonor eNB102.
• In this regard,routing table components306 and314 can have updated associations as a result of the reselection to relayeNB202. Thus, upon receiving packets fromcore network106 with the identifier ofrelay eNB108,204, or206,packet routing component308 can determine the identifier in the packet and discern a next downstream relay eNB based on locating a stored association between the identifier inrouting table component306. As described, forrelay eNBs108,204, and206, the routing table entry can relate to relayeNB202, and thepacket routing component308 can accordingly forward the packet. Similarly, uponrelay eNB202 receiving the packet,packet routing component316 can consultrouting table component314 to determine the next downstream relay eNB, which isrelay eNB108, as described, according to the new entry inserted during reselection. Thus,packet routing component316 can forward the packet to relayeNB108. Oncerelay eNB108 receives the packet,packet routing component324 can forward the packet, if applicable, to the appropriate relay eNB using the same associations as it did before reselection (e.g., using a similar routing table, etc.).
• Referring toFIG. 4, an examplewireless communication system400 that facilitates performing intra-cluster cell relay reselection is illustrated.System400 includes ahandover relay eNB402 that communicates with asource relay eNB404 for access todonor eNB408. In addition,system400 includes atarget relay eNB406 to whichhandover relay eNB402 reselects, as depicted. As shown, a UE part ofhandover relay eNB402 can performS1 reselection410 to targetrelay eNB406. This can include, for example, handing over the S1 communication interface and related information to facilitate communicating withtarget relay eNB406 using the interface.Source relay eNB404 can perform abearer resource release412 to free communication resource previously utilized byhandover relay eNB402. In addition,source relay eNB404 can transmit a bearerlist update message414 todonor eNB408 indicating one or more communicationresources donor eNB408 can release in view the reselection procedure byhandover relay eNB402.Donor eNB408 can release theresources416. In one example, the bearer list update message can have a format similar to the following.

• BearerListUpdate ::= SEQUENCE {

  	rrc-TransactionIdentifier	RRC-TransactionIdentifier,
  	criticalExtensions	CHOICE {

  bearerListUpdate-r10

  BearerListUpdate-r10-IEs,

  criticalExtensions

  SEQUENCE { }

  }

  }

  BearerListUpdate-r10-IEs ::= SEQUENCE {

  	cenb-Identity	ENB-Identity,
  	enb-Identity	ENB-Identity,

  enbList ::=  SEQUENCE (SIZE (1 .. noofeNBs)) of SEQUENCE{

  enb-Identity

  ENB-Identity,

  ueList ::=  SEQUENCE (SIZE (1 .. noofUEs)) of SEQUENCE{

  enb-UE-S1AP-Identity

  ENB-UE-S1AP-Identity,

  bearerList ::= SEQUENCE (SIZE (1 .. noofSAEbearers)) of

  SEQUENCE{

  bearerToBeReleasedListItemIEs

  BearerListItemIEs

  OPTIONAL,

  bearerToBeAddedListItemIEs

  BearerListItemIEs

  OPTIONAL,

  ...

  }

  }

  }

  }

  
  where the BearerListltemlE can have a format similar to the following.

• BearerListItemIEs ::=  SEQUENCE {

  sae-Bearer-Identity

  SAE-Bearer-Identity,

  sl-DL-TEID

  TEID,

  	sae-BearerLevelQoSParametersSAE-BearerLevelQoSParameters
  	OPTIONAL,
  	...

  }

• As described,handover relay eNB402 can transmit a bearerlist update message418 to targetrelay eNB406, which can include parameters regardinghandover relay eNB402 and/or one or more downstream relay eNBs connected directly or indirectly thereto, such as EPS bearer identifiers, QoS parameters, assigned identifiers of the handover relay eNB and/or related downstream relay eNBs, etc.Target relay eNB406 can perform admission control androuting table update420. Admission control can refer to allocating resources according to various parameters regarding a related device. In addition, routing table update, as described, can include adding an entry for an assigned identifier ofhandover relay eNB402 and/or downstream relay eNBs directly or indirectly connected thereto and a bearer identifier forhandover relay eNB402.Target relay eNB406 can forward thebearer list update422 todonor eNB408.Donor eNB408 can similarly perform admission control androuting table update424. Routing table update fordonor eNB408, as described, can include updating entries stored forhandover relay eNB402 and/or the one or more downstream relay eNBs directly or indirectly connected thereto to associate withtarget relay eNB406 instead ofsource relay eNB404. In one example,donor eNB102 can locate the entries according to the identifiers received in the bearer list update message (e.g., the identifiers can be those previously assigned bydonor eNB408, as described).
• Donor eNB408 can subsequently transmit a radio resource control (RRC)connection reconfiguration426 to targetrelay eNB406. For example, if there is no maximum number of data radio bearers limitation fordonor eNB408, it can establish a radio bearer that maps to an EPS bearer of target relay eNB406 (e.g., received in the bearer list update message). If radio bearers are pre-established, for example,donor eNB408 can map the EPS bearer to the appropriate radio bearer and send an RRC connection reconfiguration with QoS parameters (e.g., received in the bearer list update message). If radio bearers are not pre-established, thedonor eNB408 can send the RRC connection reconfiguration to thetarget relay eNB406 to establish a radio bearer that maps to the EPS bearer. In either case,donor eNB408 can additionally transmit a bearer list updatecomplete message428 to targetrelay eNB406, andtarget relay eNB406 can transmit an RRC reconfiguration complete430 todonor eNB408. In one example, the bearer list update complete message can have a format similar to the following.

• BearerListUpdateComplete ::= SEQUENCE {

  	rrc-TransactionIdentifier	RRC-TransactionIdentifier,
  	criticalExtensions	CHOICE {

  bearerListUpdateComplete-r10

  BearerListUpdateComplete-r10-IEs,

  criticalExtensions

  SEQUENCE { }

  }

  }

  BearerListUpdateComplete-r10-IEs ::= SEQUENCE {

  	cenb-Identity	ENB-Identity,
  	enb-Identity	ENB-Identity,

  enbList ::=

  SEQUENCE (SIZE (1 .. noofeNBs)) of SEQUENCE{

  enb-Identity

  ENB-Identity,

  ueList ::=

  SEQUENCE (SIZE (1 .. noofUEs)) of SEQUENCE{

  enb-UE-S1AP-Identity

  ENB-UE-S1AP-Identity,

  bearerList ::=

  SEQUENCE (SIZE (1 .. noofSAEbearers)) of

  SEQUENCE{

  bearerToBeReleasedListItemIEs

  BearerListItemIEs

  OPTIONAL,

  bearerToBeAddedListItemIEs

  BearerListItemIEs

  OPTIONAL,

  ...

  }

  }

  }

  }

• In addition,target relay eNB406 can transmit anRRC connection reconfiguration432 tohandover relay eNB402 for changing the radio bearer configuration in response to receiving the bearer list update message. Similarly, if there is no maximum number of data radio bearers limitation fortarget relay eNB406, it can establish a radio bearer that maps to an EPS bearer of handover relay eNB402 (e.g., received in the bearer list update message). If radio bearers are pre-established, for example,target relay eNB406 can map the EPS bearer to the appropriate radio bearer and send an RRC connection reconfiguration with QoS parameters (e.g., received in the bearer list update message). If radio bearers are not pre-established, thetarget relay eNB406 can send the RRC connection reconfiguration to thehandover relay eNB402 to establish a radio bearer that maps to the EPS bearer. In either case, In either case,target relay eNB406 can additionally transmit a bearer list updatecomplete message434 tohandover relay eNB402, andhandover relay eNB402 can transmit an RRC reconfiguration complete436 to targeteNB406. Subsequently,donor eNB408 can forward downlinkdata438 to targetrelay eNB406 based on the updated routing table, which can transmit thedownlink data440 tohandover relay eNB402 based on its updated routing table.
• Turning now toFIG. 5, awireless communication system500 is illustrated that facilitates inter-cluster cell relay reselection.System500 includes adonor eNB102 that provides one or more relay eNBs, such asrelay eNB104, with access to acore network106, and adonor eNB502 that similarly provides one or more relay eNBs, such asrelay eNB202, with access tocore network106. Similarly, relayeNB104 can provide one or more disparate relay eNBs, such asrelay eNB108, with access to thecore network106 viadonor eNB102, and relayeNB108 can similarly providecore network106 access to relayeNBs204 and206.Donor eNBs102 and502 can communicate with thecore network106 over a wired or wireless backhaul link, which can be an LTE or other technology backhaul link. In one example, thecore network106 can be a 3GPP LTE or similar technology network. Thus,donor eNBs102 and502 can provide separate clusters for accessingcore network106.
• Donor eNB102 can additionally provide an access link for relay eNB104 (anddonor eNB502 for relay eNB202), which can also be wired or wireless, LTE or other technologies, as described. Similarly, relayeNB104 can communicate with the donor eNB102 (and relayeNB202 to donor eNB502) using a backhaul link over the access link of the donor eNB.Relay eNB104 can similarly provide an access link forrelay eNB108, as described, which can be a wired or wireless LTE or other technology link.Relay eNB108 can provide similar access links to relayeNBs204 and206.Donor eNBs102 and502 can connect to thecore network106 over a disparate backhaul link technology.
• According to an example, relayeNB108 can initiate inter-cluster reselection to relayeNB202, which is in a different cluster than relay eNB104 (e.g., relayeNB202 communicates withdonor eNB502 whererelay eNB104 communicates with donor eNB102). Reselection, as described, can be based on a higher level of service provided byrelay eNB202, signal to noise ratio (SNR) over a certain threshold, and/or the like. Indeed, the reselection can be similar to and performed in similar cases as UE reselection incore network106. In this regard, in one example, relay eNB108 (and/or relayeNBs104,202,204,206) can be mobile such that they travel throughout acore network106 coverage area.
• As described,relay eNB108 can perform similar reselection procedures as a UE to handover S1 interface to relayeNB202. In addition, however, relayeNB108 can perform specific steps to ensure proper packet routing to/fromcore network106 through the various donor and relay nodes in the new cluster. In an example, relayeNB108, upon initiating reselection to relayeNB202, can collect one or more parameters regarding downstream relay eNBs, such asrelay eNBs204 and206, and/or downstream UEs (not shown). The one or more parameters can include, for example a number of relay eNBs, identifiers for the relay eNBs (such as EGIs assigned by core network106), a number of UEs, UE bearer information, and/or the like.Relay eNB108 can forward the parameters to relay eNB202 (e.g., in a handover required message).Relay eNB202 can forward the parameters todonor eNB502, which can assign identifiers (e.g., TEID or other relay identifiers) to relayeNB108 and/or the downstream relay eNBs (relay eNBs204 and206 in this example).Donor eNB502 can store the assigned identifiers along with a bearer identifier for the next downstream relay eNB in the communication path, which isrelay eNB202.
• Donor eNB502 can transmit the assigned identifiers to relayeNB202, which can similarly store the identifiers along with an association to the next downstream relay eNB in the communications path, which isrelay eNB108.Relay eNB202 can transmit the assigned identifiers for downstream relay eNBs that are directly or indirectly connected to relay eNB108 (e.g., relayeNBs204 and206) to relayeNB108.Relay eNB108 can store the assigned identifiers along with identifiers for the related next downstream relay eNBs in the communication path to those relay eNBs, and so on. In addition,donor eNB502 can provide the assigned identifiers to core network106 (or one or more components thereof, such as a serving gateway (SGW) related to the relay eNBs), such that thecore network106 can include the assigned identifiers in communications for the respective relay eNBs. Also, in this example, bearer setup procedures can be initiated byrelay eNB108 for substantially all downstream relay eNBs and UEs directly or indirectly connected to relayeNB108.
• In another example, relayeNB108, along with performing UE type reselection procedures, can request or otherwise acquire identifier assignment fromdonor eNB502 and can setup its bearer (and/or bearers of its directly connected UEs) withdonor eNB502.Donor eNB502 can assign an identifier and store it in a routing table, as described, with a bearer identifier of the next downstream relay eNB, relayeNB202 in this case.Donor eNB502 can provide the identifier assignment to relayeNB202, which can similarly store the assigned identifier along with a bearer identifier of the next downstream relay eNB, relayeNB108 in this example.Relay eNB108 can inform its downstream relay eNBs (e.g., relayeNBs204 and206) of the reselection, and the downstream relay eNBs can similarly request identifier assignment fromdonor eNB502 and establish bearers for itself and directly connected UE.
• In yet another example, as part of reselecting to relayeNB202 using UE style procedures, relayeNB108 can send an RRC connection release to its underlying relay eNBs (e.g., relayeNB204 and206) and UEs to release established radio bearers. The underlying relay eNBs can similarly send RRC connection release to their underlying relay eNBs and UEs. Subsequently, relayeNB108 and the relay eNBs and/or UEs previously connected (directly or indirectly) to relayeNB108 can re-attach todonor eNB502 to receive identifier assignments and establish routing tables, as described previously.
• Referring now toFIG. 6, an examplewireless communication system600 that facilitates performing inter-cluster reselection for cell relays by assigning identifiers to various downstream relay eNBs at the target donor eNB is illustrated.System600 includes adonor eNB102 that providesrelay eNB104 with access tocore network106, and adonor eNB502 that providesrelay eNB202 with access tocore network106. Additionally, as described,relay eNB104 can providerelay eNB108 with access to thecore network106 through thedonor eNB102. Moreover, for example, there can bemultiple relay eNBs104 between thedonor eNB102 and relayeNB108. In addition, it is to be appreciated that relay eNB108 (and relayeNBs202,204, and206) can comprise the components of relay eNB202 (and/or vice versa), in one example, to provide reselection functionality. Moreover,donor eNBs102 and502 can be macrocell access points, femtocell access points, picocell access points, mobile base stations, and/or the like. Relay eNBs104 (and relayeNBs108,202,204, and206) can similarly be mobile or stationary relay nodes that communicate with donor eNBs102 and502 over a wireless or wired backhaul, as described.
• Donor eNB502 comprises an updatemessage receiving component602 that obtains a handover required or other message from a downstream relay eNB, anidentifier assigning component604 that generates an identifier for one or more relay eNBs indicated in the received message, arouting table component306 that stores assigned identifiers of relay eNBs along with bearer identifiers for next downstream relay eNBs in the communication path to the relay eNBs, and apacket routing component308 that forwards packets received fromcore network106 to next downstream relay eNBs based on matching an identifier in the packet to an identifier stored by therouting table component306.
• Relay eNB202 comprises an updatemessage receiving component310 that obtains a handover required or other message from a downstream relay eNB and forwards the message to an upstream eNB, anidentifier receiving component606 that obtains an identifier for one or more downstream relay eNBs from an upstream relay eNB, arouting table component314 that stores identifiers of the one or more relay eNBs (which can be assigned by donor eNB502) along with bearer identifiers for next downstream relay eNBs in the communication path to the one or more relay eNBs, and apacket routing component316 that forwards packets received from an upstream eNB to next downstream relay eNBs based on matching an identifier in the packet to an identifier stored by therouting table component314.
• Relay eNB108 includes areselection initiating component318 that can begin a procedure to reselect to a disparate relay eNB, a downstreamparameter gathering component608 that obtains one or more parameters of downstream relay eNBs and/or UEs, an updatemessage generating component610 that creates a handover required or other message comprising the downstream relay eNB/UE parameters and/or parameters related to relayeNB108, anidentifier receiving component612 that obtains one or more identifiers for downstream relay eNBs fromdonor eNB502, arouting table component614 that stores the identifiers of the downstream relay eNBs along with bearer identifiers for next downstream relay eNBs in the communication path to the downstream relay eNBs, and apacket routing component324 that forwards packets received from an upstream eNB to relayeNBs204 and206 based on locating an identifier receive in the packets in therouting table component614.
• According to an example, relayeNB108 can communicate withrelay eNB104 to receive access tocore network106 viadonor eNB102. As described, thus, relayeNB108 can operate in a cluster provided bydonor eNB102 and can utilize adonor eNB102 assigned identifier in transmitting and receiving communications in the cluster.Reselection initiating component318, as described, can initiate reselection to relayeNB202 fromrelay eNB104. In this regard, reselection initiatingcomponent318 can perform UE type reselection procedures to handover S1 interface to relayeNB202. Before initiating reselection, downstreamparameter gathering component608 can obtain one or more parameters related to relayeNBs204 and206 or other devices, such as a number of downstream relay eNBs directly or indirectly connected to relayeNB108, EGI of the relay eNBs, a number of UEs (not shown) directly or indirectly connected to relayeNB108, bearer information for the UEs, and/or the like.Reselection initiating component318 can perform at least a portion of a reselection procedure, and updatemessage generating component610 can create a handover required or similar message comprising the one or more parameters and transmit the message to relayeNB202.
• Updatemessage receiving component310 can obtain the message and forward the message todonor eNB502. Updatemessage receiving component602 can similarly obtain the message and signal thecore network106 to initiate bearer setup procedure (e.g., for the UEs).Identifier assigning component604 can determine the relay eNBs in the handover required or other message and can assign identifiers, such as TEID or other relay identifiers as described, to the relay eNBs. This can include assigning an identifier to relayeNB108.Routing table component306 can store associations between the assigned identifiers and a bearer identifier for the next downstream relay eNB in the communication path to the relay eNBs, which isrelay eNB202 in this example.Identifier assigning component604 can transmit the assigned identifiers to relay eNB202 (e.g., along with the respective received EGI).
• Identifier receiving component606 can obtain the assigned identifiers, androuting table component314 can similarly store the assigned identifiers along with associations to a bearer identifier of the next downstream relay eNB, which isrelay eNB108, in this example.Identifier receiving component606 can forward the identifiers (and EGI, for example) to relayeNB108.Identifier receiving component612 can similarly receive the assigned identifiers.Routing table component614 can update entries related to downstream relay eNBs based on the received assigned identifiers. For example,routing table component614 can locate entries based on a corresponding received EGI and update the identifier with that corresponding to the EGI in the received identifiers.Identifier receiving component612 can transmit the identifiers to related next downstream relay eNBs for similar routing table updating, for example. In addition,identifier assigning component604 can provide the assigned identifiers to core network106 (e.g., with EGI) allowingcore network106 to appropriately utilize the updated identifiers for the relay eNBs.
• Thus,routing table components306,314, and614 can have updated associations as a result of the reselection to relayeNB202. In this regard, upon receiving packets fromcore network106 with the identifier ofrelay eNB108,204, or206,packet routing component308 can determine the identifier in the packet and discern a next downstream relay eNB based on locating a stored association between the identifier inrouting table component306. As described, forrelay eNBs108,204, and206, the routing table entry can relate to relayeNB202, and thepacket routing component308 can accordingly forward the packet. Similarly, uponrelay eNB202 receiving the packet,packet routing component316 can consultrouting table component314 to determine the next downstream relay eNB, which isrelay eNB108, as described, according to the new entry received in reselection. Thus,packet routing component316 can forward the packet to relayeNB108. Oncerelay eNB108 receives the packet,packet routing component324 can forward the packet, if applicable, to the appropriate relay eNB according to itsrouting table component614 updated with the new assigned identifiers for the respective downstream relay eNBs.
• Referring now toFIG. 7, an examplewireless communication system700 that facilitates performing inter-cluster reselection for cell relays by requesting identifier assignment and notifying downstream of the reselection is illustrated.System700 includes adonor eNB102 that providesrelay eNB104 with access tocore network106, and adonor eNB502 that providesrelay eNB202 with access tocore network106. Additionally, as described,relay eNB104 can providerelay eNB108 with access to thecore network106 through thedonor eNB102. Moreover, for example, there can bemultiple relay eNBs104 between thedonor eNB102 and relayeNB108. In addition, it is to be appreciated that relay eNB108 (and relayeNBs202,204, and206) can comprise the components of relay eNB202 (and/or vice versa), in one example, to provide reselection functionality. Moreover,donor eNBs102 and502 can be macrocell access points, femtocell access points, picocell access points, mobile base stations, and/or the like. Relay eNBs104 (and relayeNBs108,202,204, and206) can similarly be mobile or stationary relay nodes that communicate with donor eNBs102 and502 over a wireless or wired backhaul, as described.
• Donor eNB502 comprises an identifierrequest receiving component702 that obtains a request for an identifier from a downstream relay eNB (e.g. performing reselection), anidentifier assigning component604 that generates an identifier for one or more relay eNBs indicated in the received message, arouting table component306 that stores assigned identifiers of relay eNBs along with bearer identifiers for next downstream relay eNBs in the communication path to the relay eNBs, and apacket routing component308 that forwards packets received fromcore network106 to next downstream relay eNBs based on matching an identifier in the packet to an identifier stored by therouting table component306.
• Relay eNB202 comprises an identifierrequest receiving component704 that obtains a request for an identifier from a downstream relay eNB and forwards the request to an upstream eNB, anidentifier receiving component606 that obtains an identifier for one or more downstream relay eNBs from an upstream relay eNB, arouting table component314 that stores identifiers of the one or more relay eNBs (which can be assigned by donor eNB502) along with bearer identifiers for next downstream relay eNBs in the communication path to the one or more relay eNBs, and apacket routing component316 that forwards packets received from an upstream eNB to next downstream relay eNBs based on matching an identifier in the packet to an identifier stored by therouting table component314.
• Relay eNB108 includes areselection initiating component318 that can begin a procedure to reselect to a disparate relay eNB, anidentifier requesting component706 that generates and transmits a request for an identifier to a relay eNB when reselecting to the relay eNB, anidentifier receiving component612 that obtains one or more identifiers for downstream relay eNBs fromdonor eNB502, abearer requesting component708 that transmits a request to establish bearers for directly connected UEs to a donor eNB in a new cluster, areselection notifying component710 that provides downstream relay eNBs with a notification of reselection byrelay eNB108, arouting table component614 that stores the identifiers of the downstream relay eNBs along with bearer identifiers for next downstream relay eNBs in the communication path to the downstream relay eNBs, and apacket routing component324 that forwards packets received from an upstream eNB to relayeNBs204 and206 based on locating an identifier receive in the packets in therouting table component614.
• According to an example, relayeNB108 can communicate withrelay eNB104 to receive access tocore network106 viadonor eNB102. As described, thus, relayeNB108 can operate in a cluster provided bydonor eNB102 and can utilize adonor eNB102 assigned identifier in transmitting and receiving communications in the cluster.Reselection initiating component318, as described, can initiate reselection to relayeNB202 fromrelay eNB104. In this regard, reselection initiatingcomponent318 can perform UE type reselection procedures to handover S1 interface to relayeNB202. In addition, as part of the reselection,identifier requesting component706 can generate a request for an identifier fromdonor eNB502 and can transmit the request upstream to relayeNB202.
• Identifierrequest receiving component704 can obtain the request and forward the request todonor eNB502. Identifierrequest receiving component702 can similarly obtain the request.Identifier assigning component604 can generate an identifier, such as TEID or other relay identifier as described, forrelay eNB108.Routing table component306 can store an association between the assigned identifier for relay eNB108 and a bearer identifier for the next downstream relay eNB in the communication path to relayeNB108, which isrelay eNB202 in this example.Identifier assigning component604 can transmit the assigned identifier to relayeNB202, in one example.
• Identifier receiving component606 can obtain the assigned identifier, androuting table component314 can similarly store the assigned identifier forrelay eNB108 along with an association to a bearer identifier of the next downstream relay eNB, which isrelay eNB108, in this example.Identifier receiving component606 can forward the identifier to relayeNB108.Identifier receiving component612 can similarly receive the assigned identifier or notification of assignment. Moreover,bearer requesting component708 can request bearer establishment in the new cluster for underlying UEs directly communicating withrelay eNB108.Relay eNB202 can forward the request todonor eNB502, which can communicate withcore network106 to establish the bearers. In addition, reselection notifyingcomponent710 can transmit a notification of reselection to its downstream relay eNBs, relayeNBs204 and206 in this example. It is to be appreciated that reselection notifyingcomponent710 can determine the downstream relay eNBs based at least in part on entries corresponding to the downstream relay eNBs inrouting table component614, in one example. For example, this can cause relay eNBs204 and206 to perform similar procedures asrelay eNB108 to facilitate reselection, such as requesting identifiers fromdonor eNB502, requesting bearer establishment in the new cluster for their directly connected UEs, and notifying their downstream relay eNBs of the reselection.
• In this example,identifier assigning component604 can similarly assign an identifier to relayeNB204 and/or206 upon receiving the request, androuting table component306 can store an association of the identifier to a bearer identifier ofrelay eNB202, as described. Moreover,identifier receiving component606 can similarly obtain the identifier, and routing table314 can similarly store an association to relayeNB108. In addition,identifier receiving component606 can forward the identifier to relayeNB108.Identifier receiving component612 can obtain the identifier, androuting table component614 can update its stored entry for relay eNB204 and/or206 to reflect the new identifier. Thus,routing table components306,314, and614 can have updated associations as a result of the reselection to relayeNB202.
• In this regard, upon receiving packets fromcore network106 with the identifier ofrelay eNB108,204, or206,packet routing component308 can determine the identifier in the packet and discern a next downstream relay eNB based on locating a stored association between the identifier inrouting table component306. As described, forrelay eNBs108,204, and206, the routing table entry can relate to relayeNB202, and thepacket routing component308 can accordingly forward the packet. Similarly, uponrelay eNB202 receiving the packet,packet routing component316 can consultrouting table component314 to determine the next downstream relay eNB, which isrelay eNB108, as described, according to the new entry received in reselection. Thus,packet routing component316 can forward the packet to relayeNB108. Oncerelay eNB108 receives the packet,packet routing component324 can forward the packet, if applicable, to the appropriate relay eNB according to itsrouting table component614 updated with the new assigned identifiers for the respective downstream relay eNBs.
• Referring now toFIG. 8, an examplewireless communication system800 that facilitates performing inter-cluster reselection for cell relays by requesting re-attachment to the network at downstream relay eNBs as part of reselection is illustrated.System800 includes adonor eNB102 that providesrelay eNB104 with access tocore network106, and adonor eNB502 that providesrelay eNB202 with access tocore network106. Additionally, as described,relay eNB104 can providerelay eNB108 with access to thecore network106 through thedonor eNB102. Moreover, for example, there can bemultiple relay eNBs104 between thedonor eNB102 and relayeNB108. In addition, it is to be appreciated that relay eNB108 (and relayeNBs202,204, and206) can comprise the components of relay eNB202 (and/or vice versa), in one example, to provide reselection functionality. Moreover,donor eNBs102 and502 can be macrocell access points, femtocell access points, picocell access points, mobile base stations, and/or the like. Relay eNBs104 (and relayeNBs108,202,204, and206) can similarly be mobile or stationary relay nodes that communicate with donor eNBs102 and502 over a wireless or wired backhaul, as described.
• Donor eNB502 comprises an attachmentrequest receiving component802 that obtains a network attachment request from a downstream relay eNB, anidentifier assigning component604 that generates an identifier for one or more relay eNBs from which a network attachment request is received, arouting table component306 that stores assigned identifiers of relay eNBs along with bearer identifiers for next downstream relay eNBs in the communication path to the relay eNBs, and apacket routing component308 that forwards packets received fromcore network106 to next downstream relay eNBs based on matching an identifier in the packet to an identifier stored by therouting table component306.
• Relay eNB202 comprises an attachmentrequest receiving component804 that obtains a network attachment request from a downstream relay eNB and forwards the request to an upstream eNB, anidentifier receiving component606 that obtains an identifier for one or more downstream relay eNBs from an upstream relay eNB, arouting table component314 that stores identifiers of the one or more relay eNBs (which can be assigned by donor eNB502) along with bearer identifiers for next downstream relay eNBs in the communication path to the one or more relay eNBs, and apacket routing component316 that forwards packets received from an upstream eNB to next downstream relay eNBs based on matching an identifier in the packet to an identifier stored by therouting table component314.
• Relay eNB108 includes areselection initiating component318 that can begin a procedure to reselect to a disparate relay eNB, aconnection releasing component806 that transmits a connection release message to its underlying relay eNBs and UEs to release resources and/or bearers established for the relay eNBs and UEs, anattachment requesting component808 that transmits a request to attach to a wireless network under a target donor eNB during reselection, anidentifier receiving component612 that obtains one or more identifiers for downstream relay eNBs from the target donor eNB, arouting table component614 that stores the identifiers of the downstream relay eNBs along with bearer identifiers for next downstream relay eNBs in the communication path to the downstream relay eNBs, and apacket routing component324 that forwards packets received from an upstream eNB to relayeNBs204 and206 based on locating an identifier receive in the packets in therouting table component614.
• According to an example, relayeNB108 can communicate withrelay eNB104 to receive access tocore network106 viadonor eNB102. As described, thus, relayeNB108 can operate in a cluster provided bydonor eNB102 and can utilize adonor eNB102 assigned identifier in transmitting and receiving communications in the cluster.Reselection initiating component318, as described, can initiate reselection to relayeNB202 fromrelay eNB104. In this regard, reselection initiatingcomponent318 can perform UE type reselection procedures to handover S1 interface to relayeNB202. Additionally, as part of reselection,connection releasing component806 can transmit an RRC connection release (or similar connection release) message to its downstream relay eNBs (e.g., relayeNBs204 and206) and UEs (not shown) to release resources and/or bearers associated with the relay eNBs and UEs. This can cause the downstream relay eNBs (e.g., relayeNBs204 and206) to similarly release resources for their underlying relay eNBs and UEs.
• Attachment requesting component808 can transmit a network attachment request todonor eNB502 to re-attach to thecore network106. Attachmentrequest receiving component804 can receive the request and forward it todonor eNB502. In addition, attachmentrequest receiving component802 can obtain the attachment request. Similarly to an initial attachment procedure,identifier assigning component604 can generate adonor eNB502 unique identifier forrelay eNB108 to facilitate routing packets thereto.Routing table component306 can store an association between the identifier and a bearer identifier for the next downstream relay eNB, relayeNB202 in this example.Identifier assigning component604 can transmit the identifier to relayeNB202. Similarly,identifier receiving component606 can obtain the identifier, androuting table component314 can store the identifier along with a bearer identifier for the next downstream relay eNB in the communication path, which isrelay eNB108 in this example.
• Moreover, as described, downstream relay eNBs to relay eNB108 (e.g., relayeNBs204 and206) can similarly re-attach tocore network106. The downstream relay eNBs can additionally receive an identifier fromdonor eNB502 that is similarly stored inrouting table components306 and314. Also,identifier receiving component606 can transmit the identifier to relayeNB108.Identifier receiving component612 can similarly receive the identifier, and routing table614 can store an association of the identifier to the appropriate next downstream relay eNB, and so on. Additionally, downstream UEs can also re-attach tocore network106 to establish bearers and communication resources previously released. Thus,routing table components306,314, and614 can have updated associations as a result of the reselection to relayeNB202.
• In this regard, upon receiving packets fromcore network106 with the identifier ofrelay eNB108,204, or206,packet routing component308 can determine the identifier in the packet and discern a next downstream relay eNB based on locating a stored association between the identifier inrouting table component306. As described, forrelay eNBs108,204, and206, the routing table entry can relate to relayeNB202, and thepacket routing component308 can accordingly forward the packet. Similarly, uponrelay eNB202 receiving the packet,packet routing component316 can consultrouting table component314 to determine the next downstream relay eNB, which isrelay eNB108, as described, according to the new entry received in reselection. Thus,packet routing component316 can forward the packet to relayeNB108. Oncerelay eNB108 receives the packet,packet routing component324 can forward the packet, if applicable, to the appropriate relay eNB according to itsrouting table component614 updated with the new assigned identifiers for the respective downstream relay eNBs.
• Now turning toFIG. 9, an examplewireless communication network900 that provides cell relay functionality is depicted.Network900 includes aUE110 that communicates with arelay eNB104, as described, to receive access to a wireless network.Relay eNB104 can communicate with adonor eNB102 using a relay protocol to provide access to a wireless network, and as described,donor eNB102 can communicate with anMME902 and/orSGW904 that relate to therelay eNB104.SGW904 can connect to or be coupled with aPGW906, which provides network access toSGW904 and/or additional SGWs.PGW906 can communicate with aPCRF908 to authenticate/authorizeUE110 to use the network, which can utilize anIMS910 to provide addressing to theUE110 and/or relayeNB104.
• According to an example,MME902 and/orSGW904 andPGW906 can be related todonor eNB102 serving substantially all relay eNBs in the cluster.Donor eNB102 can also communicate with anSGW916 andPGW918 that relate to theUE110, such that thePGW918 can assign UE110 a network address to facilitate tunneling communications thereto through therelay eNB104,donor eNB102, andSGW916. Moreover, for example,SGW916 can communicate with anMME914 to facilitate control plane communications to and from theUE110. It is to be appreciated thatMME902 andMME914 can be the same MME, in one example.PGW918 can similarly communicate with aPCRF908 to authenticate/authorizeUE110, which can communicate with anIMS910. In addition,PGW918 can communicate directly with theIMS910 and/orinternet912.
• In an example,UE110 can communicate with therelay eNB104 over an E-UTRA-Uu interface, as described, and therelay eNB104 can communicate with thedonor eNB102 using an E-UTRA-Uu interface or other interface using the relay protocol, as described herein.Donor eNB102 communicates with theMME902 using an S1-MME interface and theSGW904 andPGW906 over an S1-U interface, as depicted. In one example, as described, communications received fromrelay eNB104 forMME902 orSGW904/PGW906 can be over a relay protocol and can have an IP address ofMME902 orSGW904/PGW906 in the relay protocol header.Donor eNB102 can appropriately route the packet according to the IP address and/or payload type of the relay protocol. In another example, packets fromrelay eNB104 can comprised a previously assigned TEID or portion thereof. In addition, the transport layers used over the S1-MME and S1-U interfaces are terminated at thedonor eNB102, as described. In this regard, upon receiving communications for therelay eNB104 from theMME902 orSGW904,donor eNB102 can, for example, decouple the application layer from the transport layer by defining a new relay protocol packet, or other protocol layer packet, and transmitting the application layer communication to therelay eNB104 in the new protocol packet (over the E-UTRA-Uu interface, in one example).Donor eNB102 can transmit the packet to relay eNB104 (and/or one or more disparate relay eNBs as described) based on a TEID in the packet or relay identifier in the header.
• Upon transmitting control plane communications from therelay eNB104 to theMME902,donor eNB102 can indicate an identifier of the relay eNB104 (e.g., in an S1-AP message), andMME902 can transmit the identifier in responding communications to thedonor eNB102. When transmitting data plane communications fromrelay eNB104 toSGW904,donor eNB102 can insert an identifier for the relay eNB104 (orUE110 or one or more related bearers) in the TEID of a GTP-U header to identify the relay eNB104 (orUE110 or one or more related bearers). This can be an identifier generated forrelay eNB104 bydonor eNB102 such thatdonor eNB102 can determine therelay eNB104, or one or more downstream relay eNBs is to receive the translated packet, as described above. For example, this can be based at least in part on locating at least a portion of the identifier in a routing table atdonor eNB102. In addition, headers can be compressed, in one example, as described. As shown,MME902 can communicate withSGW904, andMME914 toSGW916, using an S11 interface.PGWs906 and918 can communicate withPCRF908 over a Gx interface. Furthermore,PCRF908 can communicate withIMS910 using an Rx interface, andPGW918 can communicate withIMS910 and/or theinternet912 using an SGi interface.
• Referring toFIGS. 10-13, methodologies relating to reselecting relay eNBs in cell relay configured wireless networks are illustrated. While, for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the methodologies are shown and described as a series of acts, it is to be understood and appreciated that the methodologies are not limited by the order of acts, as some acts may, in accordance with one or more aspects, occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other acts from that shown and described herein. For example, those skilled in the art will understand and appreciate that a methodology could alternatively be represented as a series of interrelated states or events, such as in a state diagram. Moreover, not all illustrated acts may be required to implement a methodology in accordance with one or more aspects.
• Turning toFIG. 10, anexample methodology1000 that facilitates performing one or more steps in an intra-cluster reselection is illustrated. At1002, a relay eNB can be communicated with to receive access to a wireless network. As described, the relay eNB can provide such access through a donor eNB (and/or one or more intermediary relay eNBs). At1004, a connection with a disparate relay eNB can be established to facilitate reselecting the disparate relay eNB. In this example, the disparate relay eNB can provide wireless network access through the same donor eNB (and thus be in the same cluster) as the relay eNB. In this regard, upstream relay eNBs can modify internal routing tables for routing packets through the disparate relay eNB instead of the relay eNB. To facilitate such updating, at1006, a bearer list update message can be transmitted to the disparate relay eNB comprising an identifier assigned by a donor eNB. In addition, as described, the bearer list update message can also comprise identifiers of one or more downstream relay eNBs such that an upstream relay eNB can update or add routing table entries to forward packets according to the identifiers in the bearer list update message, as described previously.
• Referring toFIG. 11, anexample methodology1100 is shown that facilitates updating routing tables upon intra-cluster reselection by a downstream relay eNB. At1102, a bearer list update message can be received from a relay eNB during reselection for the relay eNB. As described, the bearer list update message can include an identifier of the relay eNB and/or identifiers of downstream relay eNBs of the relay eNB. At1104, an identifier of the relay eNB can be determined from the bearer list update message. At1106, the identifier of the relay eNB can be associated to a bearer identifier of a next downstream relay eNB. As described, if an entry exists for the relay eNB, it can be updated; if no entry exists, an entry can be added. In addition, where other identifiers of downstream relay eNBs of the relay eNB are present in the bearer list update message, associations for those identifiers can be similarly updated or added.
• Referring toFIG. 12, anexample methodology1200 is shown that facilitates performing one or more steps in an inter-cluster reselection. At1202, a relay eNB can be communicated with to receive access to a wireless network. As described, the relay eNB can provide such access through a donor eNB (and/or one or more intermediary relay eNBs). At1204, a connection with a disparate relay eNB can be established to facilitate reselecting the disparate relay eNB. In this example, the disparate relay eNB can provide wireless network access through a disparate donor eNB (and thus be in a different cluster) as the relay eNB. In this regard, an identifier can be assigned by the disparate donor eNB to facilitate routing within the new cluster. At1206, an identifier request can be transmitted to the disparate relay eNB to facilitate assignment of an identifier by a donor eNB of the disparate relay eNB. In one example, this can be an explicit request, a request triggered by a network attachment procedure, and/or the like. In addition, the identifier request, in one example, can comprise identifiers for downstream relay eNBs to facilitate assigning identifiers to those nodes as well.
• Referring toFIG. 13, anexample methodology1300 is shown that facilitates updating routing tables upon inter-cluster reselection by a downstream relay eNB. At1302, an identifier request can be received from a relay eNB during reselection for the relay eNB. As described, the identifier request can be an explicit request, a request triggered by a network attachment procedure, a request for assigning multiple identifiers (e.g., of downstream relay eNBs to the relay eNB), and/or the like. At1304, an identifier can be obtained for the relay eNB. For example, the identifier can be received from an upstream relay eNB, generated for the relay eNB, and/or the like. At1306, the identifier of the relay eNB can be associated to a bearer identifier of a next downstream relay eNB. As described, the association can be stored in a routing table. Moreover, as described, identifiers can be obtained for downstream relay eNBs to the relay eNB, for example, and similarly associated to the next downstream relay eNB in the routing table, for example.
• It will be appreciated that, in accordance with one or more aspects described herein, inferences can be made regarding generating identifiers for downstream relay eNBs, updating routing tables according to the identifiers, and/or other aspects described herein. As used herein, the term to “infer” or “inference” refers generally to the process of reasoning about or inferring states of the system, environment, and/or user from a set of observations as captured via events and/or data. Inference can be employed to identify a specific context or action, or can generate a probability distribution over states, for example. The inference can be probabilistic—that is, the computation of a probability distribution over states of interest based on a consideration of data and events. Inference can also refer to techniques employed for composing higher-level events from a set of events and/or data. Such inference results in the construction of new events or actions from a set of observed events and/or stored event data, whether or not the events are correlated in close temporal proximity, and whether the events and data come from one or several event and data sources.
• Referring now toFIG. 14, awireless communication system1400 is illustrated in accordance with various embodiments presented herein.System1400 comprises abase station1402 that can include multiple antenna groups. For example, one antenna group can includeantennas1404 and1406, another group can compriseantennas1408 and1410, and an additional group can includeantennas1412 and1414. Two antennas are illustrated for each antenna group; however, more or fewer antennas can be utilized for each group.Base station1402 can additionally include a transmitter chain and a receiver chain, each of which can in turn comprise a plurality of components associated with signal transmission and reception (e.g., processors, modulators, multiplexers, demodulators, demultiplexers, antennas, etc.), as will be appreciated by one skilled in the art.
• Base station1402 can communicate with one or more mobile devices such as mobile device1416 andmobile device1422; however, it is to be appreciated thatbase station1402 can communicate with substantially any number of mobile devices similar tomobile devices1416 and1422.Mobile devices1416 and1422 can be, for example, cellular phones, smart phones, laptops, handheld communication devices, handheld computing devices, satellite radios, global positioning systems, PDAs, and/or any other suitable device for communicating overwireless communication system1400. As depicted, mobile device1416 is in communication withantennas1412 and1414, whereantennas1412 and1414 transmit information to mobile device1416 over aforward link1418 and receive information from mobile device1416 over areverse link1420. Moreover,mobile device1422 is in communication withantennas1404 and1406, whereantennas1404 and1406 transmit information tomobile device1422 over aforward link1424 and receive information frommobile device1422 over areverse link1426. In a frequency division duplex (FDD) system,forward link1418 can utilize a different frequency band than that used byreverse link1420, andforward link1424 can employ a different frequency band than that employed byreverse link1426, for example. Further, in a time division duplex (TDD) system,forward link1418 andreverse link1420 can utilize a common frequency band andforward link1424 andreverse link1426 can utilize a common frequency band.
• Each group of antennas and/or the area in which they are designated to communicate can be referred to as a sector ofbase station1402. For example, antenna groups can be designed to communicate to mobile devices in a sector of the areas covered bybase station1402. In communication overforward links1418 and1424, the transmitting antennas ofbase station1402 can utilize beamforming to improve signal-to-noise ratio offorward links1418 and1424 formobile devices1416 and1422. Also, whilebase station1402 utilizes beamforming to transmit tomobile devices1416 and1422 scattered randomly through an associated coverage, mobile devices in neighboring cells can be subject to less interference as compared to a base station transmitting through a single antenna to all its mobile devices. Moreover,mobile devices1416 and1422 can communicate directly with one another using a peer-to-peer or ad hoc technology (not shown).
• According to an example,system1400 can be a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication system. Further,system1400 can utilize substantially any type of duplexing technique to divide communication channels (e.g., forward link, reverse link, . . . ) such as FDD, FDM, TDD, TDM, CDM, and the like. In addition, communication channels can be orthogonalized to allow simultaneous communication with multiple devices over the channels; in one example, OFDM can be utilized in this regard. Thus, the channels can be divided into portions of frequency over a period of time. In addition, frames can be defined as the portions of frequency over a collection of time periods; thus, for example, a frame can comprise a number of OFDM symbols. Thebase station1402 can communicate to themobile devices1416 and1422 over the channels, which can be create for various types of data. For example, channels can be created for communicating various types of general communication data, control data (e.g., quality information for other channels, acknowledgement indicators for data received over channels, interference information, reference signals, etc.), and/or the like.
• FIG. 15 shows an examplewireless communication system1500. Thewireless communication system1500 depicts onebase station1510 and onemobile device1550 for sake of brevity. However, it is to be appreciated thatsystem1500 can include more than one base station and/or more than one mobile device, wherein additional base stations and/or mobile devices can be substantially similar or different fromexample base station1510 andmobile device1550 described below. In addition, it is to be appreciated thatbase station1510 and/ormobile device1550 can employ the systems (FIGS. 1-9 and14) and/or methods (FIGS. 10-13) described herein to facilitate wireless communication therebetween.
• Atbase station1510, traffic data for a number of data streams is provided from adata source1512 to a transmit (TX)data processor1514. According to an example, each data stream can be transmitted over a respective antenna.TX data processor1514 formats, codes, and interleaves the traffic data stream based on a particular coding scheme selected for that data stream to provide coded data.
• The coded data for each data stream can be multiplexed with pilot data using orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) techniques. Additionally or alternatively, the pilot symbols can be frequency division multiplexed (FDM), time division multiplexed (TDM), or code division multiplexed (CDM). The pilot data is typically a known data pattern that is processed in a known manner and can be used atmobile device1550 to estimate channel response. The multiplexed pilot and coded data for each data stream can be modulated (e.g., symbol mapped) based on a particular modulation scheme (e.g., binary phase-shift keying (BPSK), quadrature phase-shift keying (QPSK), M-phase-shift keying (M-PSK), M-quadrature amplitude modulation (M-QAM), etc.) selected for that data stream to provide modulation symbols. The data rate, coding, and modulation for each data stream can be determined by instructions performed or provided byprocessor1530.
• The modulation symbols for the data streams can be provided to aTX MIMO processor1520, which can further process the modulation symbols (e.g., for OFDM).TX MIMO processor1520 then provides N_Tmodulation symbol streams to N_Ttransmitters (TMTR)1522athrough1522t. In various aspects,TX MIMO processor1520 applies beamforming weights to the symbols of the data streams and to the antenna from which the symbol is being transmitted.
• Each transmitter1522 receives and processes a respective symbol stream to provide one or more analog signals, and further conditions (e.g., amplifies, filters, and upconverts) the analog signals to provide a modulated signal suitable for transmission over the MIMO channel. Further, N_Tmodulated signals fromtransmitters1522athrough1522tare transmitted from N_Tantennas1524athrough1524t, respectively.
• Atmobile device1550, the transmitted modulated signals are received by N_Rantennas1552athrough1552rand the received signal from each antenna1552 is provided to a respective receiver (RCVR)1554athrough1554r. Each receiver1554 conditions (e.g., filters, amplifies, and downconverts) a respective signal, digitizes the conditioned signal to provide samples, and further processes the samples to provide a corresponding “received” symbol stream.
• AnRX data processor1560 can receive and process the N_Rreceived symbol streams from N_Rreceivers1554 based on a particular receiver processing technique to provide N_T“detected” symbol streams.RX data processor1560 can demodulate, deinterleave, and decode each detected symbol stream to recover the traffic data for the data stream. The processing byRX data processor1560 is complementary to that performed byTX MIMO processor1520 andTX data processor1514 atbase station1510.
• Aprocessor1570 can periodically determine which precoding matrix to utilize as discussed above. Further,processor1570 can formulate a reverse link message comprising a matrix index portion and a rank value portion.
• The reverse link message can comprise various types of information regarding the communication link and/or the received data stream. The reverse link message can be processed by aTX data processor1538, which also receives traffic data for a number of data streams from adata source1536, modulated by amodulator1580, conditioned bytransmitters1554athrough1554r, and transmitted back tobase station1510.
• Atbase station1510, the modulated signals frommobile device1550 are received by antennas1524, conditioned by receivers1522, demodulated by ademodulator1540, and processed by aRX data processor1542 to extract the reverse link message transmitted bymobile device1550. Further,processor1530 can process the extracted message to determine which precoding matrix to use for determining the beamforming weights.
• Processors1530 and1570 can direct (e.g., control, coordinate, manage, etc.) operation atbase station1510 andmobile device1550, respectively.Respective processors1530 and1570 can be associated withmemory1532 and1572 that store program codes and data.Processors1530 and1570 can also perform computations to derive frequency and impulse response estimates for the uplink and downlink, respectively.
• It is to be understood that the aspects described herein can be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, middleware, microcode, or any combination thereof. For a hardware implementation, the processing units can be implemented within one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors, other electronic units designed to perform the functions described herein, or a combination thereof.
• When the aspects are implemented in software, firmware, middleware or microcode, program code or code segments, they can be stored in a machine-readable medium, such as a storage component. A code segment can represent a procedure, a function, a subprogram, a program, a routine, a subroutine, a module, a software package, a class, or any combination of instructions, data structures, or program statements. A code segment can be coupled to another code segment or a hardware circuit by passing and/or receiving information, data, arguments, parameters, or memory contents. Information, arguments, parameters, data, etc. can be passed, forwarded, or transmitted using any suitable means including memory sharing, message passing, token passing, network transmission, etc.
• For a software implementation, the techniques described herein can be implemented with modules (e.g., procedures, functions, and so on) that perform the functions described herein. The software codes can be stored in memory units and executed by processors. The memory unit can be implemented within the processor or external to the processor, in which case it can be communicatively coupled to the processor via various means as is known in the art.
• With reference toFIG. 16, illustrated is asystem1600 that facilitates performing an intra-cluster reselection to a disparate relay eNB. For example,system1600 can reside at least partially within a base station, mobile device, etc. It is to be appreciated thatsystem1600 is represented as including functional blocks, which can be functional blocks that represent functions implemented by a processor, software, or combination thereof (e.g., firmware).System1600 includes alogical grouping1602 of electrical components that can act in conjunction. For instance,logical grouping1602 can include an electrical component for initiating reselection from a relay eNB to a disparate relay eNB that utilizes a same donor eNB to provide access to awireless network1604. For example, as described,electrical component1604 can at least initiate reselection for a UE portion (e.g., to handover an S1 interface connection to the disparate relay eNB).
• Additionally,logical grouping1602 can include an electrical component for generating a bearer list update message comprising an identifier of thesystem1600 and transmitting the bearer list update message duringreselection1606. Thus, the identifier can be transmitted to upstream relay eNBs to facilitate routing table updating so packets can be forwarded to the disparate relay eNB following reselection. Moreover,logical grouping1602 can include an electrical component for determining one or more identifiers relating to one or moredownstream relay eNBs1608. In this regard,electrical component1606 can also transmit the identifiers of the downstream relay eNBs in the bearer list update message to facilitate routing table updating for those identifiers as well. Additionally,system1600 can include amemory1610 that retains instructions for executing functions associated withelectrical components1604,1606, and1608. While shown as being external tomemory1610, it is to be understood that one or more ofelectrical components1604,1606, and1608 can exist withinmemory1610.
• With reference toFIG. 17, illustrated is asystem1700 that facilitates receiving identifiers of relay eNBs performing reselection and updating routing tables to reflect a new communications path to the relay eNBs. For example,system1700 can reside at least partially within a base station, mobile device, etc. It is to be appreciated thatsystem1700 is represented as including functional blocks, which can be functional blocks that represent functions implemented by a processor, software, or combination thereof (e.g., firmware).System1700 includes alogical grouping1702 of electrical components that can act in conjunction. For instance,logical grouping1702 can include an electrical component for receiving a bearer list update message from a relay eNB during reselection for therelay eNB1704. As described, the bearer list update message can comprise an identifier of the relay eNB and/or one or more disparate relay eNBs downstream to the relay eNB.
• Additionally,logical grouping1702 can include an electrical component for determining an identifier of the relay eNB from the bearerlist update message1706. Moreover,logical grouping1702 can include an electrical component for storing an association between the identifier of the relay eNB and a bearer identifier of a next downstream relay eNB in a communication path to the relay eNB in a routing table1708. As described, storing the association can include adding a new association or updating a previous association. Additionally,system1700 can include amemory1710 that retains instructions for executing functions associated withelectrical components1704,1706, and1708. While shown as being external tomemory1710, it is to be understood that one or more ofelectrical components1704,1706, and1708 can exist withinmemory1710.
• With reference toFIG. 18, illustrated is asystem1800 that facilitates performing an inter-cluster reselection to a disparate relay eNB. For example,system1800 can reside at least partially within a base station, mobile device, etc. It is to be appreciated thatsystem1800 is represented as including functional blocks, which can be functional blocks that represent functions implemented by a processor, software, or combination thereof (e.g., firmware).System1800 includes alogical grouping1802 of electrical components that can act in conjunction. For instance,logical grouping1802 can include an electrical component for initiating reselection from a relay eNB to a disparate relay eNB that utilize disparate donor eNBs to provide access to awireless network1804. For example, as described,electrical component1804 can at least initiate reselection for a UE portion (e.g., to handover an S1 interface connection to the disparate relay eNB).
• Additionally,logical grouping1802 can include an electrical component for transmitting an identifier request to facilitate assignment of a unique identifier at thedisparate donor eNB1806. As described, the request can be part of a network attachment procedure performed to re-attach to the wireless network through disparate donor eNB (and through disparate relay eNB, for example). In this example,logical grouping1802 can include an electrical component for transmitting a connection release message to one or moredownstream relay eNBs1808. This can additionally cause the downstream relay eNBs to similarly re-attach to the network and receive new identifiers from the disparate donor eNB. In another example, the identifier request can relate to an explicit request for an identifier. In this example,logical grouping1802 can include an electrical component for notifying one or more downstream relay eNBs of the initiatingreselection1810. This can cause the downstream relay eNBs to similarly request an identifier, as described, and notify its downstream relay eNBs of reselection.
• Furthermore,logical grouping1802 can include an electrical component for receiving a unique identifier from the disparate relay eNB relating to at least one of the one or moredownstream relay eNBs1812. As described, this can be received oncesystem1800 has reselected to the disparate relay eNB. In this regard,logical grouping1802 can include an electrical component for updating a routing table to associate the unique identifier with a next downstream relay eNB in a communication path to the at least one of the one or moredownstream relay eNBs1814. Additionally,system1800 can include amemory1816 that retains instructions for executing functions associated withelectrical components1804,1806,1808,1810,1812, and1814. While shown as being external tomemory1816, it is to be understood that one or more ofelectrical components1804,1806,1808,1810,1812, and1814 can exist withinmemory1816.
• With reference toFIG. 19, illustrated is asystem1900 that facilitates receiving identifier requests for relay eNBs performing reselection and updating routing tables to reflect a next downstream relay eNB for the relay eNBs. For example,system1900 can reside at least partially within a base station, mobile device, etc. It is to be appreciated thatsystem1900 is represented as including functional blocks, which can be functional blocks that represent functions implemented by a processor, software, or combination thereof (e.g., firmware).System1900 includes alogical grouping1902 of electrical components that can act in conjunction. For instance,logical grouping1902 can include an electrical component for receiving an identifier request from a relay eNB during reselection for therelay eNB1904. As described, the identifier request can be part of a network attachment request, an explicit request for an identifier, a request for identifiers for downstream relay eNBs, and/or the like.
• Additionally,logical grouping1902 can include an electrical component for obtaining an identifier for therelay eNB1906. As described, this can include receiving the identifier, generating the identifier, and/or the like. Moreover,logical grouping1902 can include an electrical component for storing an association between the identifier of the relay eNB and a bearer identifier of a next downstream relay eNB in a communication path to the relay eNB in a routing table1908. Thus, identifiers can be assigned to relay eNBs reselecting to relay eNBs in a new cluster within whichsystem1900 operates. Additionally,system1900 can include amemory1910 that retains instructions for executing functions associated withelectrical components1904,1906, and1908. While shown as being external tomemory1910, it is to be understood that one or more ofelectrical components1904,1906, and1908 can exist withinmemory1910.
• The various illustrative logics, logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented or performed with a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but, in the alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration. Additionally, at least one processor may comprise one or more modules operable to perform one or more of the steps and/or actions described above.
• Further, the steps and/or actions of a method or algorithm described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein may be embodied directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two. A software module may reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, a hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium may be coupled to the processor, such that the processor can read information from, and write information to, the storage medium. In the alternative, the storage medium may be integral to the processor. Further, in some aspects, the processor and the storage medium may reside in an ASIC. Additionally, the ASIC may reside in a user terminal In the alternative, the processor and the storage medium may reside as discrete components in a user terminal. Additionally, in some aspects, the steps and/or actions of a method or algorithm may reside as one or any combination or set of codes and/or instructions on a machine readable medium and/or computer readable medium, which may be incorporated into a computer program product.
• In one or more aspects, the functions described may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functions may be stored or transmitted as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media includes both computer storage media and communication media including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another. A storage medium may be any available media that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer. Also, any connection may be termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of medium. Disk and disc, as used herein, includes compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and blu-ray disc where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs usually reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.
• While the foregoing disclosure discusses illustrative aspects and/or embodiments, it should be noted that various changes and modifications could be made herein without departing from the scope of the described aspects and/or embodiments as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, although elements of the described aspects and/or embodiments may be described or claimed in the singular, the plural is contemplated unless limitation to the singular is explicitly stated. Additionally, all or a portion of any aspect and/or embodiment may be utilized with all or a portion of any other aspect and/or embodiment, unless stated otherwise. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. Furthermore, although elements of the described aspects and/or aspects may be described or claimed in the singular, the plural is contemplated unless limitation to the singular is explicitly stated. Additionally, all or a portion of any aspect and/or embodiment may be utilized with all or a portion of any other aspect and/or embodiment, unless stated otherwise.

Claims (107)

1. A method, comprising:

communicating with a relay evolved Node B (eNB) to receive access to a wireless network;

establishing a connection with a disparate relay eNB to facilitate reselecting the disparate relay eNB where the disparate relay eNB and the relay eNB communicate with a same donor eNB to provide wireless network access; and

transmitting a bearer list update message to the disparate relay eNB comprising an identifier previously assigned by the donor eNB.

2. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising determining one or more identifiers relating to one or more downstream relay eNBs, wherein the bearer list update message further comprises the one or more identifiers of the one or more downstream relay eNBs.

3. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the establishing the connection with the disparate relay eNB includes handing over an S1 interface connection to the disparate relay eNB.

4. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising receiving a radio resource control (RRC) connection reconfiguration message from the relay eNB.

5. A wireless communications apparatus, comprising:

at least one processor configured to:

communicate with a relay evolved Node B (eNB) to receive access to a wireless network;

initiate reselection to a disparate relay eNB that communicates with a same donor eNB as the relay eNB; and

transmit a bearer list update message to the disparate relay eNB comprising an identifier of the wireless communications apparatus assigned by the donor eNB; and

a memory coupled to the at least one processor.

6. The wireless communications apparatus ofclaim 5, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to determine one or more identifiers related to one or more downstream relay eNBs, and the bearer list update message includes the one or more identifiers.

7. The wireless communications apparatus ofclaim 5, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to handover an S1 interface connection to the disparate relay eNB as part of initiating reselection.

8. The wireless communications apparatus ofclaim 5, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to receive a radio resource control (RRC) connection reconfiguration message from the relay eNB.

9. An apparatus, comprising:

means for initiating reselection from a relay evolved Node B (eNB) to a disparate relay eNB that utilizes a same donor eNB to provide access to a wireless network; and

means for generating a bearer list update message comprising an identifier of the apparatus and transmitting the bearer list update message during reselection.

10. The apparatus ofclaim 9, further comprising means for determining one or more identifiers relating to one or more downstream relay eNBs, wherein the means for generating the bearer list update message includes the one or more identifiers of the one or more downstream relay eNBs in the bearer list update message.

11. The apparatus ofclaim 9, wherein the means for initiating reselection hands over an S1 interface connection to the disparate relay eNB.

12. The wireless communications apparatus ofclaim 5, wherein the means for initiating reselection receives a radio resource control (RRC) connection reconfiguration message from the relay eNB.

13. A computer program product, comprising:

a computer-readable medium comprising:

code for causing at least one computer to communicate with a relay evolved Node B (eNB) to receive access to a wireless network;

code for causing the at least one computer to establish a connection with a disparate relay eNB to facilitate reselecting the disparate relay eNB where the disparate relay eNB and the relay eNB communicate with a same donor eNB to provide wireless network access; and

code for causing the at least one computer to transmit a bearer list update message to the disparate relay eNB comprising an identifier previously assigned by the donor eNB.

14. The computer program product ofclaim 13, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises code for causing the at least one computer to determine one or more identifiers relating to one or more downstream relay eNBs, wherein the bearer list update message further comprises the one or more identifiers of the one or more downstream relay eNBs.

15. The computer program product ofclaim 13, wherein the code for causing the at least one computer to establish the connection with the disparate relay eNB hands over an S1 interface connection to the disparate relay eNB.

16. The computer program product ofclaim 13, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises code for causing the at least one computer to receive a radio resource control (RRC) connection reconfiguration message from the relay eNB.

17. An apparatus, comprising:

a reselection initiating component that initializes reselection from a relay evolved Node B (eNB) to a disparate relay eNB that utilizes a same donor eNB to provide access to a wireless network; and

an update message generating component that creates a bearer list update message comprising an identifier of the apparatus and transmits the bearer list update message during reselection.

18. The apparatus ofclaim 17, further comprising a downstream parameter gathering component that determines one or more identifiers relating to one or more downstream relay eNBs, wherein the update message generating component includes the one or more identifiers of the one or more downstream relay eNBs in the bearer list update message.

19. The apparatus ofclaim 17, wherein the reselection initiating component hands over an S1 interface connection to the disparate relay eNB.

20. The apparatus ofclaim 17, wherein the reselection initiating component receives a radio resource control (RRC) connection reconfiguration message from the relay eNB.

21. A method, comprising:

receiving a bearer list update message from a relay evolved Node B (eNB) during reselection for the relay eNB;

determining an identifier of the relay eNB from the bearer list update message; and

associating the identifier of the relay eNB to a bearer identifier of a next downstream relay eNB in a communication path to the relay eNB in a routing table.

22. The method ofclaim 21, wherein the associating the identifier includes updating an existing association in the routing table corresponding to the identifier of the relay eNB.

23. The method ofclaim 21, wherein the associating the identifier includes adding an association corresponding to the identifier of the relay eNB and the bearer identifier of the next downstream relay eNB to the routing table.

24. The method ofclaim 21, further comprising determining one or more identifiers of downstream relay eNBs of the relay eNB from the bearer list update message.

25. The method ofclaim 24, further comprising associating the one or more identifiers of downstream relay eNBs with the bearer identifier of the next downstream relay eNB in the routing table.

26. The method ofclaim 21, further comprising transmitting a radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration messaging to the relay eNB for changing a radio bearer configuration in response to receiving the bearer list update message.

27. A wireless communications apparatus, comprising:

at least one processor configured to:

obtain a bearer list update message from a relay evolved Node B (eNB) during reselection for the relay eNB;

discern an identifier of the relay eNB from the bearer list update message; and

store the identifier of the relay eNB with a bearer identifier of a next downstream relay eNB in a communication path to the relay eNB in a routing table; and

a memory coupled to the at least one processor.

28. The wireless communications apparatus ofclaim 27, wherein the at least one processor stores the identifier at least in part by updating an existing associating in the routing table corresponding to the identifier of the relay eNB.

29. The wireless communications apparatus ofclaim 27, wherein the at least one processor stores the identifier as a new identifier associated with the bearer identifier of the next downstream relay eNB in the routing table.

30. The wireless communications apparatus ofclaim 27, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to determine one or more identifiers of downstream relay eNBs of the relay eNB from the bearer list update message.

31. The wireless communications apparatus ofclaim 30, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to store an association between the one or more identifiers of downstream relay eNBs with the bearer identifier of the next downstream relay eNB in the routing table.

32. The wireless communications apparatus ofclaim 27, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to transmit a radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration messaging to the relay eNB for changing a radio bearer configuration in response to receiving the bearer list update message.

33. An apparatus, comprising:

means for receiving a bearer list update message from a relay evolved Node B (eNB) during reselection for the relay eNB;

means for determining an identifier of the relay eNB from the bearer list update message; and

means for storing an association between the identifier of the relay eNB and a bearer identifier of a next downstream relay eNB in a communication path to the relay eNB in a routing table.

34. The apparatus ofclaim 33, wherein the means for storing the association updates an existing association related to the identifier of the relay eNB.

35. The apparatus ofclaim 33, wherein the means for storing the association creates a new association in the routing table for the identifier of the relay eNB.

36. The apparatus ofclaim 33, wherein the means for determining the identifier of the relay eNB further determines one or more identifiers of one or more downstream relay eNBs to the relay eNB from the bearer list update message.

37. The apparatus ofclaim 36, wherein the means for storing the association stores a disparate association between the one or more identifiers of the one or more downstream relay eNBs in the routing table with the bearer identifier of the next downstream relay eNB.

38. The apparatus ofclaim 33, wherein the means for receiving the bearer list update message transmits a radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration messaging to the relay eNB for changing a radio bearer configuration in response to receiving the bearer list update message.

39. A computer program product, comprising:

a computer-readable medium comprising:

code for causing at least one computer to receive a bearer list update message from a relay evolved Node B (eNB) during reselection for the relay eNB;

code for causing the at least one computer to determine an identifier of the relay eNB from the bearer list update message; and

code for causing the at least one computer to associate the identifier of the relay eNB to a bearer identifier of a next downstream relay eNB in a communication path to the relay eNB in a routing table.

40. The computer program product ofclaim 39, wherein the code for causing the at least one computer to associate the identifier of the relay eNB to the bearer identifier of the next downstream relay eNB updates an existing association in the routing table corresponding to the identifier of the relay eNB.

41. The computer program product ofclaim 39, wherein the code for causing the at least one computer to associate the identifier of the relay eNB to the bearer identifier of the next downstream relay eNB adds an association corresponding to the identifier of the relay eNB and the bearer identifier of the next downstream relay eNB to the routing table.

42. The computer program product ofclaim 39, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises code for causing the at least one computer to determine one or more identifiers of downstream relay eNBs of the relay eNB from the bearer list update message.

43. The computer program product ofclaim 42, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises code for causing the at least one computer to associate the one or more identifiers of downstream relay eNBs with the bearer identifier of the next downstream relay eNB in the routing table.

44. The computer program product ofclaim 39, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises code for causing the at least one computer to transmit a radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration messaging to the relay eNB for changing a radio bearer configuration in response to receiving the bearer list update message.

45. An apparatus, comprising:

an update message receiving component that obtains a bearer list update message from a relay evolved Node B (eNB) during reselection for the relay eNB;

a parameter parsing component that determines an identifier of the relay eNB from the bearer list update message; and

a routing table component that stores an association between the identifier of the relay eNB and a bearer identifier of a next downstream relay eNB in a communication path to the relay eNB in a routing table.

46. The apparatus ofclaim 45, wherein the routing table component updates an existing association related to the identifier of the relay eNB.

47. The apparatus ofclaim 45, wherein the routing table component creates a new association in the routing table for the identifier of the relay eNB.

48. The apparatus ofclaim 45, wherein the parameter parsing component further determines one or more identifiers of one or more downstream relay eNBs to the relay eNB from the bearer list update message.

49. The apparatus ofclaim 48, wherein the routing table component stores a disparate association between the one or more identifiers of the one or more downstream relay eNBs in the routing table with the bearer identifier of the next downstream relay eNB.

50. The apparatus ofclaim 45, wherein the update message receiving component transmits a radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration messaging to the relay eNB for changing a radio bearer configuration in response to receiving the bearer list update message.

51. A method, comprising:

communicating with a relay evolved Node B (eNB) to receive access to a wireless network;

establishing a connection with a disparate relay eNB to facilitate reselecting the disparate relay eNB where the disparate relay eNB communicates with a disparate donor eNB to provide wireless network access than the relay eNB; and

transmitting an identifier request to the disparate relay eNB to facilitate assignment of a unique identifier at the disparate donor eNB.

52. The method ofclaim 51, further comprising transmitting a connection release message to one or more downstream relay eNBs to release resources and radio bearers related thereto.

53. The method ofclaim 52, wherein the transmitting the identifier request includes transmitting a network attachment request.

54. The method ofclaim 53, further comprising receiving the unique identifier from the disparate donor eNB.

55. The method ofclaim 51, further comprising notifying one or more downstream relay eNBs of reselecting to the disparate relay eNB.

56. The method ofclaim 55, further comprising:

receiving a disparate unique identifier from the disparate relay eNB relating to at least one of the one or more downstream relay eNBs; and

updating a routing table to associate the disparate unique identifier with a next downstream relay eNB in a communication path to the at least one of the one or more downstream relay eNBs.

57. The method ofclaim 55, further comprising transmitting a request for one or more bearers for one or more downstream user equipments (UE) to the disparate relay eNB.

58. The method ofclaim 51, further comprising receiving parameters relating to one or more downstream relay eNBs, wherein the identifier request includes at least a portion of the parameters.

59. The method ofclaim 58, further comprising:

receiving the unique identifier from the disparate relay eNB relating to at least one of the one or more downstream relay eNBs; and

updating a routing table to associate the unique identifier with a next downstream relay eNB in a communication path to the at least one of the one or more downstream relay eNBs.

60. The method ofclaim 58, further comprising receiving an eNB global identifier (EGI) for the at least one of the one or more downstream relay eNBs, wherein the parameters include the EGI for the at least one of the one or more downstream relay eNBs, and the updating a routing table includes locating an existing association of at least one of the one or more downstream relay eNBs to a next downstream relay eNB based at least in part on the EGI.

61. A wireless communications apparatus, comprising:

at least one processor configured to:

receive wireless network access from a relay evolved Node B (eNB);

initiate reselection to a disparate relay eNB that communicates with a disparate donor eNB than the relay eNB to provide wireless network access; and

transmit an identifier request to the disparate relay eNB to facilitate assigning a unique identifier to the wireless communications apparatus by the disparate donor eNB; and

a memory coupled to the at least one processor.

62. The wireless communications apparatus ofclaim 61, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to transmit a connection release message to one or more downstream relay eNBs and/or user equipments (UE).

63. The wireless communications apparatus ofclaim 62, wherein the identifier request is a network attachment request.

64. The wireless communications apparatus ofclaim 63, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to receive the unique identifier from the disparate donor eNB.

65. The wireless communications apparatus ofclaim 61, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to notify one or more downstream relay eNBs of initiating reselection.

66. The wireless communications apparatus ofclaim 65, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

receive a disparate unique identifier from the disparate relay eNB relating to at least one of the one or more downstream relay eNBs; and

update a routing table to associate the disparate unique identifier with a next downstream relay eNB in a communication path to the at least one of the one or more downstream relay eNBs.

67. An apparatus, comprising:

means for initiating reselection from a relay evolved Node B (eNB) to a disparate relay eNB that utilizes a disparate donor eNB to provide access to a wireless network than the relay eNB; and

means for transmitting an identifier request to facilitate assignment of a unique identifier at the disparate donor eNB.

68. The apparatus ofclaim 67, further comprising means for transmitting a connection release message to one or more downstream relay eNBs.

69. The apparatus ofclaim 68, wherein the means for transmitting the identifier request transmits a network attachment request to the disparate donor eNB.

70. The apparatus ofclaim 67, further comprising means for notifying one or more downstream relay eNBs of the initiating reselection.

71. The apparatus ofclaim 70, further comprising:

means for receiving a disparate unique identifier from the disparate relay eNB relating to at least one of the one or more downstream relay eNBs; and

means for updating a routing table to associate the disparate unique identifier with a next downstream relay eNB in a communication path to the at least one of the one or more downstream relay eNBs.

72. A computer program product, comprising:

a computer-readable medium comprising:

code for causing at least one computer to communicate with a relay evolved Node B (eNB) to receive access to a wireless network;

code for causing the at least one computer to establish a connection with a disparate relay eNB to facilitate reselecting the disparate relay eNB where the disparate relay eNB communicates with a disparate donor eNB to provide wireless network access than the relay eNB; and

code for causing the at least one computer to transmit an identifier request to the disparate relay eNB to facilitate assignment of a unique identifier at the disparate donor eNB.

73. The computer program product ofclaim 72, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises code for causing the at least one computer to transmit a connection release message to one or more downstream relay eNBs to release resources and radio bearers related thereto.

74. The computer program product ofclaim 73, wherein the code for causing the at least one computer to transmit the identifier request transmits a network attachment request.

75. The computer program product ofclaim 72, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises code for causing the at least one computer to notify one or more downstream relay eNBs of reselecting to the disparate relay eNB.

76. The computer program product ofclaim 75, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises:

code for causing the at least one computer to receive a disparate unique identifier from the disparate relay eNB relating to at least one of the one or more downstream relay eNBs; and

code for causing the at least one computer to update a routing table to associate the disparate unique identifier with a next downstream relay eNB in a communication path to the at least one of the one or more downstream relay eNBs.

77. An apparatus, comprising:

a reselection initiating component that initializes a reselection from a relay evolved Node B (eNB) to a disparate relay eNB that utilizes a disparate donor eNB to provide access to a wireless network than the relay eNB; and

a requesting component that transmits an identifier request to facilitate assignment of a unique identifier at the disparate donor eNB.

78. The apparatus ofclaim 77, further comprising a connection releasing component that transmits a connection release message to one or more downstream relay eNBs.

79. The apparatus ofclaim 78, wherein the requesting component is an attachment requesting component that transmits a network attachment request to the disparate donor eNB.

80. The apparatus ofclaim 77, further comprising a reselection notifying component that provides a notification to one or more downstream relay eNBs of the reselection.

81. The apparatus ofclaim 80, further comprising:

an identifier receiving component that obtains a disparate unique identifier from the disparate relay eNB relating to at least one of the one or more downstream relay eNBs; and

a routing table component that updates a routing table to associate the disparate unique identifier with a next downstream relay eNB in a communication path to the at least one of the one or more downstream relay eNBs.

82. A method, comprising:

receiving an identifier request from a relay evolved Node B (eNB) during reselection for the relay eNB;

obtaining an identifier for the relay eNB; and

associating the identifier of the relay eNB to a bearer identifier of a next downstream relay eNB in a communication path to the relay eNB in a routing table.

83. The method ofclaim 82, wherein the obtaining the identifier for the relay eNB includes generating the identifier for the relay eNB.

84. The method ofclaim 82, wherein the identifier request is part of a request for network attachment.

85. The method ofclaim 82, further comprising:

obtaining a disparate identifier for at least one downstream relay eNB of the relay eNB; and

associating the disparate identifier to the bearer identifier of the next downstream relay eNB in the communication path to the relay eNB in the routing table.

86. The method ofclaim 85, wherein the identifier request comprises one or more eNB global identifiers (EGI) related to the at least one downstream relay eNB of the relay eNB.

87. The method ofclaim 85, further comprising transmitting the disparate identifier to the relay eNB.

88. A wireless communications apparatus, comprising:

at least one processor configured to:

receive an identifier request from a relay evolved Node B (eNB) during reselection for the relay eNB;

obtain an identifier for the relay eNB; and

associate the identifier of the relay eNB in a routing table along with a bearer identifier of a next downstream relay eNB in a communication path to the relay eNB; and

a memory coupled to the at least one processor.

89. The wireless communications apparatus ofclaim 88, wherein the at least one processor generates the identifier for the relay eNB.

90. The wireless communications apparatus ofclaim 88, wherein the identifier request is part of a network attachment request.

91. The wireless communications apparatus ofclaim 88, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

obtain a disparate identifier for at least one or more downstream relay eNBs of the relay eNB; and

associate the disparate identifier to the bearer identifier of the next downstream relay eNB in the communication path to the relay eNB in the routing table.

92. The wireless communications apparatus ofclaim 91, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to transmit the disparate identifier to the relay eNB.

93. An apparatus, comprising:

means for receiving an identifier request from a relay evolved Node B (eNB) during reselection for the relay eNB;

means for obtaining an identifier for the relay eNB; and

means for storing an association between the identifier of the relay eNB and a bearer identifier of a next downstream relay eNB in a communication path to the relay eNB in a routing table.

94. The apparatus ofclaim 93, wherein the means for obtaining the identifier for the relay eNB generates the identifier for the relay eNB.

95. The apparatus ofclaim 93, wherein the identifier request is part of a network attachment request.

96. The apparatus ofclaim 93, wherein the means for obtaining the identifier receives a disparate identifier for at least one downstream relay eNB, and the means for storing the association stores a disparate association between the disparate identifier and the bearer identifier of the next downstream relay eNB in the communication path to the relay eNB in the routing table.

97. The apparatus ofclaim 96, wherein the means for obtaining the identifier transmits the disparate identifier to the relay eNB.

98. A computer program product, comprising:

a computer-readable medium comprising:

code for causing at least one computer to receive an identifier request from a relay evolved Node B (eNB) during reselection for the relay eNB;

code for causing the at least one computer to obtain an identifier for the relay eNB; and

code for causing the at least one computer to associate the identifier of the relay eNB to a bearer identifier of a next downstream relay eNB in a communication path to the relay eNB in a routing table.

99. The computer program product ofclaim 98, wherein the code for causing the at least one computer to obtain the identifier for the relay eNB generates the identifier for the relay eNB.

100. The computer program product ofclaim 98, wherein the identifier request is part of a request for network attachment.

101. The computer program product ofclaim 98, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises:

code for causing the at least one computer to obtain a disparate identifier for at least one downstream relay eNB of the relay eNB; and

code for causing the at least one computer to associate the disparate identifier to the bearer identifier of the next downstream relay eNB in the communication path to the relay eNB in the routing table.

102. The computer program product ofclaim 101, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises code for causing the at least one computer to transmit the disparate identifier to the relay eNB.

103. An apparatus, comprising:

an identifier request receiving component that obtains an identifier request from a relay evolved Node B (eNB) during reselection for the relay eNB;

an identifier receiving component that obtains an identifier for the relay eNB; and

a routing table component that stores an association between the identifier of the relay eNB and a bearer identifier of a next downstream relay eNB in a communication path to the relay eNB in a routing table.

104. The apparatus ofclaim 103, wherein the identifier receiving component is an identifier assigning component that generates the identifier for the relay eNB.

105. The apparatus ofclaim 103, wherein the identifier request is part of a network attachment request, and the identifier request receiving component is an attachment request receiving component.

106. The apparatus ofclaim 103, wherein the identifier receiving component obtains a disparate identifier for at least one downstream relay eNB, and the routing table component stores a disparate association between the disparate identifier and the bearer identifier of the next downstream relay eNB in the communication path to the relay eNB in the routing table.

107. The apparatus ofclaim 106, wherein the identifier receiving component transmits the disparate identifier to the relay eNB.

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