Methods and arrangements for replacing an area identifier in a wireless communication network

摘要

Method and arrangements in a first network node (101) and a user equipment (102) for handling replacement of a first area identifier (A1) of a cell (110) served by the first network node (101) with a second area identifier (A2) is provided. An area identifier replacement period has been introduced in order to allow the first and second area identifiers to be operated simultaneously in a cell that is being updated. Furthermore, a method and arrangement in a second network node for handling paging of user equipments during the area identifier replacement period is provided.

主权项

1. A method in a first network node for replacing a first area identifier of a cell served by the first network node with a second area identifier for the cell, the first network node being part of a wireless communication network, the method comprising:
sending the first area identifier to a user equipment in the cell; receiving the second area identifier from a second network node that is another part in the wireless communication network; sending the first and second area identifiers to the user equipment repeatedly during an area identifier replacement period indicative of an expiration period associated with the first area identifier, wherein an indication of the area identifier replacement period is received from the second network node before sending the first and second area identifiers; and when the area identifier replacement period has lapsed, sending the second area identifier to the user equipment and not sending the first area identifier, thereby replacing the first area identifier with the second area identifier, wherein the second area identifier indicates a location area that includes a plurality of cells served by the first network node after the lapse of the area identifier replacement period and after replacing the first area identifier with the second area identifier, wherein the cell comprises a first cell for which the second area identifier replaces the first area identifier after the lapse of the area identifier replacement period, and wherein the plurality of cells served by the first network node includes a second cell that corresponds to the second area identifier before and after the area identifier replacement period.