CN101084681B - Wireless communication method and component facilitating compatibility of multiple network types - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) and interaction between different network types or different network specifications, and a method and apparatus for multi-mode wtru communication that is capable of operating in more than one network type, and that uses a mechanism and a stack of novel communication protocols to handoff from one network type to another without negative impact.

Description

Wireless communication method and component facilitating compatibility of multiple network types

technical field

The present invention relates to network communication, interaction of different network types or different network specifications, and a communication method and device for allowing multiple modes of wireless transmission/reception units (WTRUs) without negative effects. In particular, the present invention relates to wireless transmit/receive units that can operate on more than one type of network, where the more than one type of network includes networks such as those compliant with the IEEE 802 family of specifications Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) or cellular system compliant with 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) or related specifications.

Background technique

Wireless communication systems are well known to those working in the art. Generally speaking, such a wireless communication system may include communication base stations, and the communication base stations may transmit and receive wireless communication signals with each other. According to the type of the wireless communication system, the communication base station can generally be divided into the following two types of wireless devices, namely: a base station (BS) and a mobile user wireless transmission/reception unit.

In the description of the present invention, the term "base station" includes, but is not limited to, a base station, an access point (AP), a Node B, a location controller, or a base station association that enables other WTRUs to access wirelessly in a wireless environment. Other interface devices to the network.

In addition, in the description of the present invention, the term "WTRU" includes, but is not limited to, user equipment (UE), mobile workstation, fixed or mobile subscriber unit, pager, or any device capable of operating in a wireless environment. other types of devices. Such WTRUs include personal communication devices such as telephones, video phones, and Internet phones with network connections. Among other things, WTRUs include portable personal computing devices, such as personal digital assistants (PDAs) and notebook computers with wireless modems, wherein the personal digital assistants and notebook computers with wireless modems have similar network Function. A portable WTRU or a WTRU that changes location may be referred to as a mobile unit.

In general, a network may have multiple base stations, where each base station may be in simultaneous wireless communication with a suitably configured MRTRU and suitably configured multiple base stations. Alternatively, some WTRUs can also perform direct wireless communication with other WTRUs without relaying through the network and the base station. Generally speaking, this kind of wireless communication can be called peer-to-peer wireless communication. When a certain WTRU performs direct wireless communication with other WTRUs, this WTRU itself can also be configured or function as a base station. In addition, the wireless transmission/reception unit can be used in various wireless networks, and the wireless transmission/reception unit can have both network and point-to-point wireless communication functions.

A type of wireless communication system, this type of wireless communication system is called a wireless area network, which can communicate directly wirelessly with a wireless transmission/reception unit equipped with a wireless area network modem, in addition, equipped with a wireless area network data The wireless transmission/reception unit of the machine can also conduct point-to-point wireless communication with similarly equipped wireless transmission/reception units. In the existing market, individual manufacturers have actually integrated WLAN modems into various traditional communication and computing devices. For example, most mobile phones, personal digital assistants, and desktop computers have built-in single or multiple WLAN modems.

In the case of wireless mobile telephony, one existing specification that has become widely used is the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM). The global system for mobile communication may be called the second generation mobile communication system (2G) specification, and the revised version of the second generation mobile communication system specification may be called the second and fifth generation mobile communication system (2.5G) specification. General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) and Enhanced Data for Universal Packet Radio Service Evolution (EDGE) are examples of the second and fifth generation mobile communication system (2.5G) specifications, and, relative to the second generation mobile communication system specification GSM , the UPRS and UPRS evolution enhanced data of the second and fifth generation mobile communication system specifications can provide relatively high-speed data services. Among other things, UPRS and UPRS Evolution Enhancement Data are improvements to existing specifications with various features and enhancements. In January 1998, the European Mobile Telecommunications Standards Institute-Special Mobile Telecommunications Group (ETSI-SMG) finally reached an agreement on the wireless access means of the third-generation mobile telecommunications system (3G). Among them, the third-generation mobile telecommunications The system may be referred to as Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS). To further improve the UMTS specification, the Third Generation Partnership Project was established in December 1998. The 3rd Generation Partnership Project is an ongoing effort to develop a common third generation mobile communication system. In addition to the 3rd Generation Partnership Project, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project II (3GPP2) specification also continues to develop, and the 3rd Generation Partnership Project II specification uses the core network Mobile Internet Protocol (Mobile IP in a Core Network) to achieve move.

A WLAN environment with single or multiple WLAN base stations, commonly referred to as an Access Point, can be built according to the IEEE 802 family of specifications. Generally, access to such WLANs requires a user authentication procedure. In addition, the communication protocol of the wireless communication system in the wireless local area network has also been standardized, such as: the communication protocol configuration provided by the IEEE 802 specification family.

A basic service set (BSS) is a basic building block of a wireless area network of the IEEE 802.11 specification, and the basic service set includes a wireless transmission/reception unit that may also be called a station (STA). Basically, a collection of workstations that can talk to each other can form a basic service collection. In addition, a plurality of basic service sets can form an extended service set (ESS) through a structural element that may be called a distribution system (DS). The access point provides wireless access to the WTRUs served by the distribution system and, in general, allows a variety of workstations to synchronize wireless access to the distribution system.

In an AP-based WLAN, the WTRU needs to communicate wirelessly with a specific AP located nearby. That is to say: the WTRU is associated with a specific access point. Occasionally, a WTRU may need or may want to change its associated access point, that is, a WTRU may need or preferably be able to "re-associate". For example, the WTRU may experience poor signal conditions due to moving out of the coverage geographic area of the original AP. In addition, poor signal conditions may also be caused by the congestion of the original access point's coverage base service set.

The wireless transmission/reception unit can establish a communication session with the Internet server through the relevant access point, and then obtain a unique Internet protocol address, so as to enable the wireless local area network to perform wireless communication through the Internet. Generally speaking, this type of network communication needs to establish routing information, so that the WTRU can transmit information to the Internet, and then receive information sent by the Internet to its IP address. In addition, maintaining the communication session when the WTRU re-associates to a new access point (new AP) also requires a mechanism to transfer the communication session to the new AP, thereby updating the routing information.

In addition, the wireless transmission/reception unit can also be configured to perform wireless communication with two or more wireless communication systems of different network types. Such devices may be referred to as multi-mode wireless transmit/receive units. For example, the WTRU can be configured to communicate wirelessly with three different network types of wireless communication systems, such as: IEEE 802.11 (WiFi) specification network, IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX) specification network, and mobile phone network . In addition, the multi-mode wireless transmission/reception unit can also be configured to independently operate in wireless communication systems of various network types. For example, U.S. Early Publication No. US20040248615 discloses a multi-mode wireless transmission/reception unit, which was previously published on December 9, 2004 and is owned by the same assignee of the present invention have.

In the independent multi-mode implementation, although the wireless transmission/reception unit can perform single or multiple wireless communications in different wireless communication specifications, however, the wireless transmission/reception unit can only communicate in wireless communication systems of the same wireless communication type. Pass specific wireless communications. In order to provide additional functionality and flexibility, the present invention seeks to provide a handover mechanism whereby an MWTRU can be handed over from a network type workstation utilizing one wireless communication specification to a different wireless communication specification network type workstations.

Contents of the invention

The present invention provides a communication method, system and components, so that a wireless transmission/reception unit that performs wireless communication with an original base station (original BS) through a first wireless communication standard can be handed over to a target base station (target BS), and so that the wireless transmission/reception unit that performs wireless communication with the original base station through the first wireless communication standard can perform wireless communication with the target base station through the second wireless communication standard without affecting performance.

For further understanding of the present invention, the detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings can be used in detail as follows, wherein the same elements can be denoted by the same reference numerals.

Description of drawings

FIG. 1 is a system overview diagram showing an existing wireless communication of a wireless local area network (WLAN);

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an existing WLAN handover of WTRU wireless communication from an Access Point (AP) to a WTRU of the same network type. Another access point to the local area network;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the system of the present invention, in order to show the handover of the wireless transmission/reception unit wireless communication of the Internet and the cellular network to the wireless local area network;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the interrelationship of the multi-mode wireless transmission/reception unit and the wireless area network network elements of the present invention;

5 is a schematic diagram showing a WLAN workstation, wherein the WLAN workstation can interact with the Internet and a cellular network, and the WLAN workstation can be used for management functions;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the information flow handed over from the cellular network to the wireless area network according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the information flow handed over from the WLAN to the cellular network according to the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing another preferred embodiment of the multi-mode wireless transmission/reception unit of the present invention.

Detailed ways

The terms "base station (BS)" and "wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU)" have been explained above. The present invention provides a wireless access environment using multi-wireless communication standards, whereby wireless network services (including Internet network services) can be provided to wireless transmission/reception units. Among other things, the present invention is particularly useful when used in conjunction with an MWTRU, and when the MWTRU traverses the geographic area covered by individual base stations. However, the advantage of the present invention is that it can be achieved with a WTRU that is stationary during a particular wireless communication, since any type of quality of service (QoS) degradation of a particular wireless communication may occur via handoff to the WTRU. Another wireless communication system of a different wireless communication type to communicate is pointed out, so as to provide a better quality of service for a specific wireless communication. In a preferred embodiment, the wireless transmission/reception unit may have an integrated or installed wireless communication device, such as a cellular and/or IEEE 802 specification compliant device, to implement wireless communication. In addition, the integrated or installed wireless communication The device may also have a direct connection communication function for a handover option during connection.

Besides, in the description of the present invention, the term "frame" includes, but not limited to, a packet, a block, a frame, or a cell. Frames are bundles of data organized in a specific way for transmission between each other. The main elements with a frame include: header (header), wherein the header includes control information, such as: synchronization, source, purpose, and length information; payload (payload), wherein the payload includes transmission data; and tail ( trailer), wherein the trailer includes the end of packet, error detection and correction mechanism.

In addition, in the description of the present invention, the term "protocol" refers to the rules and procedures that define the frame format and signal timing, whereby individual devices can communicate with each other wirelessly. In addition, in the description of the present invention, the term "protocol stack" refers to a family or collection of related communication protocols that define interoperable actions.

Please refer to FIG. 1, which shows a wireless communication environment, wherein the wireless transmission/reception unit can implement wireless communication via a network workstation. In this example, the network workstation is an access point (AP) of a wireless local area network (WLAN). . The access point may interconnect with other network facilities of the WLAN, such as an access point controller (AC). As shown in the figure, the access point can communicate wirelessly with five WTRUs. These wireless communications can be coordinated and synchronized using an access point. In addition, this configuration can also be called a basic service set (BSS) of the wireless area network.

Please refer to FIG. 2 , which shows a wireless area network with two access points, where the two access points can be respectively represented as an original access point (original AP) and a target access point (target AP). The WTRU can be placed in an area that can be covered by both the original access point and the target access point, whereby when the WTRU moves toward the target access point and leaves the range of the original access point or when other When the cause is detected, the WTRU can "hand off" the wireless communication from the original AP to the target AP. In wireless communication systems of various network types, standards for such infra-network handoff have been developed. However, handoffs between interconnected networks of different network types can be problematic.

In the current market, inter-technology mobility in particular, in the case of Mobile IP (Mobile IP), is an application/Layer 3 based solution. However, this solution is rather slow and prone to missing data. In view of this, as described in detail below, the present invention provides a novel trigger processing layer, namely: Layer 2.5 (Layer 2.5), which is dedicated to directly coupling lower communication protocol layers, such as: physical layer and media access control Layers (Layer 1 and Layer 2), inter-network communication, and higher communication protocol layer triggers using mutual technology movement to increase processing speed.

Please refer to FIG. 3 , which shows a multi-mode WTRU capable of implementing wireless communication via various types of networks. As shown in the figure, the WTRU is movable from the coverage area of the cellular base station to the coverage area of the WLAN access point. At this point, an inter-network communication handoff needs to be implemented to terminate the old connection with the base station and establish a new connection with the access point.

FIG. 3 shows two different paths for continuing the wireless communication of the WTRU on the side of the wireless network. As shown in FIG. 3 , one path represents wireless communication, such as voice or other data communication, implemented via the core network of a cellular system such as a 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) system. Besides, another path refers to wireless communication via Internet, such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) or other data communication. In such an example, the WTRU's Internet session can preferably be maintained as the Cell Controller's Mobile IP Home Agent (Mobile IP Home Agent), where the target is the WTRU's Internet The communication protocol packet can be sent to the associated Mobile IP Foreign Agent (Mobile IP Foreign Agent) of the access point controller through the mobile IP tunneling (Mobile IP tunneling), and then the access point controller can then communicate with the The access point establishes a new connection, and then transmits the IP packet destined for the WTRU to the WTRU.

According to the present invention, the service related to the wireless communication handover of the Internet can implement a novel communication protocol layer called layer 2.5 in at least one WLAN communication protocol component, and then implement it in different nodes. Preferably, the access point controller can implement the layer 2.5 communication protocol, and then handle the mobile related services on the wireless network side, and the multi-mode wireless transmission/reception unit can implement the layer 2.5 communication protocol, and then process the user side Mobile related services, and implement wireless communication with the layer 2.5 communication protocol of the access point controller. Optionally, the access point can implement a layer 2.5 communication protocol, and then implement the wireless communication of the lower communication protocol layer information from the WTRU to the access point controller, or the wireless communication can be cut from the access point. between the entry point and the access point controller. Alternatively, in the description of the present invention, the functions of the novel communication protocol layer (L2.5) can be implemented in different ways, such as: a management plane outside the normal communication protocol layer or other forms.

Please refer to FIG. 4, which shows the transfer configuration and services of the layer 2.5 communication protocol, wherein the layer 2.5 communication protocol can be implemented in multiple modes of wireless transmission/reception units and compatible wireless area network components, such as: wireless Area Network Access Point/Access Point Controller. The WTRU has a transceiver to implement the WLAN communication protocol via "n groups" of stacked components. Each stack element has a WLAN physical (PHY) layer (L1) and a WLAN medium access control (MAC) layer (L2) to interface with the logical link control (LLC) layer and layer 2.5 communication protocol elements . Transfers can occur between any of the "n" different network types, and each network type can include unique MAC and physical layers.

The layer 2.5 communication protocol can provide interconnection network decision-making elements, so as to identify different network types, and then implement wireless communication according to the reception of wireless communication signals of different network types, and further change the selection of network types for receiving wireless communication signals. Among them, receiving The wireless communication signal is used for wireless communication of the wireless transmission/reception unit. Preferably, three types of services supporting transfer between different network types can be provided, namely: pointing service, network advertising and discovery service, and mobile service.

The indication service can be used as an abstraction (ABS) layer between the existing lower communication protocol layer and the higher communication protocol layer, wherein the lower communication protocol layer can include the first layer (L1) and the second layer ( L2) and technology-oriented physical layer and media access control layer, and the higher communication protocol layer may include the mobile Internet communication protocol (Mobile IP) called the third layer (L3). Preferably, the layer 2.5 indication service can implement the following functions, including:

Establishing Layer 2.5 mobile service triggers to form handover decisions based on Layer 1 (L1) and Layer 2 (L2) triggers (eg, uplink, downlink, etc.);

Create Layer 3 (L3) (e.g., Mobile IP) and higher protocol layer (such as: Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)) triggers to send in Layer 3 (L3 ) signaling interface and application layer signaling interface; and establishing Layer 1 (L1) and Layer 2 (L2) triggers for sending to the physical layer and MAC layer signaling interfaces.

Triggers sent to higher protocol layers can provide simple indications of wireless medium conditions, or triggers sent to higher protocol layers can provide advanced indications of higher protocol layers, such as providing specific commands (eg , switching from the first link (Link 1) to the second link (Link 2)). This approach is based on the assumption that network discovery and mobility services can form delivery decisions themselves and notify higher protocol layers of changes.

Preferably, the network advertising and discovery service manages network discovery and selection. Preferably, the list of nearby wireless networks and the capabilities of individual wireless networks (eg, quality of service, connection conditions) can be maintained. The list of nearby wireless networks and the capabilities of individual wireless networks (e.g., quality of service, link conditions) can be communicated to the WLAN via the Layer 2.5 signaling interface using the MWTRU, or the nearby wireless network Network listings and individual wireless network capabilities (eg, quality of service, link conditions) can be shared using the Operations Administration and Maintenance (OA&M) function. Preferably, the network discovery service can interact with the mobile service to deliver necessary information to the mobile service and enable the mobile service to make an appropriate handover decision.

Preferably, the mobile service may include mutual IEEE 802 standard mobile service, cellular-wireless area network mobile service, or both mobile services mentioned above. However, any type of network-WLAN mobile service can also be provided to facilitate handover of WLAN and any other type of wired/wireless network that a particular multimode WTRU wants to communicate with. Preferably, layer 2.5 mobility services according to IEEE 802 specifications can manage WTRU handovers from IEEE 802.XX specification networks to IEEE 802.YY specification networks utilizing different wireless communication specifications, wherein IEEE 802.XX Specifications and IEEE 802.YY specifications are different wireless communication specifications of the IEEE 802 specification family.

Preferably, the layer 2.5 mobile service can use the management interface to implement wireless communication. Preferably, the management interface may utilize Inter Access Point Protocol (IAPP), Control and Provisioning of Wireless Access Points (CAPWAP), or other similar communications protocols. Preferably, the mobile service is responsible for secure content delivery, pre-authentication and other validation functions, thereby implementing the Internet handover according to the network type desired for the particular mobile service element. In particular, mutual access point communication protocol and wireless access point control and provisioning are used for IEEE 802.11 specification network mobility. Using this approach, layer 2.5 mobility services may not be limited to inter-technology mobility (for example, wireless area network to cellular), and layer 2.5 mobility services may also be applicable to Internet communication protocols between the same technology or different technologies Web mobile service.

Mobility services may form handover decisions from radio communications of one network type to radio communications of another network type. Preferably, the mobile service component can form the handover decision based on desired QoS levels and/or communication link conditions (eg, link condition changes and expected connection termination), user preferences, and other factors. For example, in instances where wireless communication can continue over any wireless network with a desired quality of service level, the handover decision may be formed based on factors such as cost of service, relative network congestion conditions, or any other desired parameter. Preferably, the mobile service is technology-neutral, that is, the mobile service is independent of the physical requirements of a specific network, and the physical requirements of a specific network are the first layer (L1) and second layer (L2) components of wireless communication proposed via a specific network.

Preferably, the Cell-WLAN mobile service can manage the Cell-WLAN handover. Based on the type of coupling between the cellular and WLAN, it is desirable for mobile services to separate the technical details of the IEEE802.XX specification from the cellular network. Preferably, the mobile service can provide an interface with similar connections and functions to traditional Iub or Iur interfaces. The cell neighbor list can be shared through the operation management and maintenance function, and the operation management and maintenance function can be implemented in the mobile service. Preferably, security and mobility management can be implemented in the WLAN access channel.

Please refer to FIG. 5 , which shows an exemplary configuration of a WLAN station (STA). Preferably, the network workstation can communicate with other access points/access point controllers via a mutual access communication protocol (such as: mutual access point communication protocol, wireless access point control and provision, or other similar communication protocols) Implement wireless communication. The network workstation may have extended InterAP Protocol (IAPP+) and Extended Control and Provisioning of Wireless Access Points (CAPWAP+) interface specifications for wireless communication with other WLAN APs and AP controllers. In this configuration, the neighbor list can be obtained in various ways. For example, the EAP protocol can transmit the neighbor list to layer 2.5, and the layer 2.5 can transmit the neighbor list to the network station (STA). Alternatively, the WTRU can report the neighbor list to layer 2.5, and the layer 2.5 can retransmit the neighbor list to other nodes via the eAP protocol. Preferably, an operations management and maintenance agent can be used to store the neighbor list. With this configuration, layer 2.5 can form handover decisions and execute handover decisions via extended mutual AP communication protocol, extended wireless access point control and provisioning, or other similar communication protocols.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a cellular-to-WLAN handover formed by a multi-mode WTRU according to the teachings of the present invention. The wireless transmission/reception unit has a transceiver for implementing the communication protocol of the cellular network communication by using the honeycomb stacking element, and implementing the communication protocol of the wireless area network communication through the IEEE 802.XX standard stacking element. A cellular stack element has implementations of a cellular physical layer (L1), a cellular media access control layer (L2), a cellular radio link control (RLC) layer, and a cellular radio resource control (RRC) layer. IEEE 802.XX standard stack components are implementations with the aforementioned layer 2.5, WLAN physical layer (L1), WLAN MAC layer (L2), and WLAN logical connection control layer. In addition, the interface element b connecting the radio resource control layer of the cellular stack element and the layer 2.5 element of the IEEE 802.XX standard stack element can provide layer 2.5 signal transmission between individual communication protocol stacks, wherein the individual communication protocol Layer 2.5 signaling between stacks can be transmitted to individual networks using individual media access control layer and physical layer formats, and connects the radio resource control layer of the cellular stack element and the layer 2.5 element of the IEEE 802.XX standard stack element The interface element b can provide atmospheric wireless signal transmission between the WTRU and individual networks. The radio resource control layer is the radio resource control function of the third generation cooperation project (3GPP specification), wherein the radio resource control function is a typical cellular communication protocol configuration function. In addition, other equivalent functions, including but not limited to the global system for mobile communication Radio Resource Management (GSM RR), can also be used.

As shown in FIG. 6 , the initial state is an active communication connection between the MMTRU and the cellular network via the cellular stack element. In this state, the designations Path 1 and Path 2 are two alternative paths that represent the Layer 2.5 triggers that may be brought to the Cellular-IEEE 802 Specification Handover Policy functional element of the cellular network. In the signal transmission path 1, the multi-mode WTRU can be connected to the WLAN via the IEEE 802.XX standard stacking element. The WTRU can transmit layer 2.5 trigger information (eg, measurement information) to the WLAN, and the layer 2.5 trigger information (eg, measurement information) can be transmitted via Internet protocol or both networks Other common delivery mechanisms among them are passed to the cellular network/IEEE 802 specification network handover policy functional element. After receiving the Layer 2.5 trigger information, the cellular network/IEEE 802 specification network handover policy function element can use the Layer 2.5 trigger information as part of the handover decision procedure, and then cause the handover to interrupt the active communication connection (using the symbol "X") and enable the active communication connection to continue at the WTRU/WLAN connection (not shown).

Path 1 signaling can be implemented in synchronous radio mode operation, in which layer 2.5 functions can pass layer 2.5 trigger information via individual stacked radio resource control layer and application program interface (API) of interface b between layer 2.5 Independently teleports to the side of a stacked hive. The API is a standard set of software interrupts, calls, and data formats that layer 2.5 initiates access to cellular network services. Subsequently, the layer 2.5 information can be delivered to the cellular network via the RRC signaling protocol. In the asynchronous wireless mode operation, the cellular stack element may periodically prompt a layer 2.5 trigger message to be transmitted to the cellular network via path two. This configuration can be seen in Figure 6, where the periodic prompt can be sent via interface b between the RRC layer and layer 2.5.

Layer 2.5 information can be passed on path two using various methods. For example, layer 2.5 information can be conveyed as a complete encapsulation of the RRC signaling message. Alternatively, the layer 2.5 information may also be conveyed as a partial summary of the RRC signaling message. Optionally, the layer 2.5 information may interact with the new RRC signaling message and the old RRC signaling message. Just like the signal transmission of path 1, when receiving the layer 2.5 trigger information of the cellular network/IEEE 802 specification network handover policy function element through the signal transmission of path 2, the wireless communication system can use the layer 2.5 trigger information to As part of the handover decision process, which then causes handoffs.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the multi-mode WTRU of FIG. 6, wherein an active communication is initiated between the WTRU and the WLAN, and then handed over to the WTRU and the cellular network between. In this example, wireless communications can be controlled using the IEEE 802 specification Network Handover Policy function for WLANs. The labels for path three and path four respectively denote two alternative paths that Layer 2.5 triggers may bring to the IEEE 802 specification NDP functional element in the WLAN. In the layer 2.5 signal transmission of path 3, the layer 2.5 elements of the IEEE 802.XX stacked elements can communicate wirelessly with the IEEE 802 specification network handover policy function element of the WLAN through an active communication link. In the signaling of path four, the WTRU may be connected to the cellular network via the cellular stack element. The WTRU can transmit the Layer 2.5 trigger information to the cellular network, and wherein the Layer 2.5 trigger information can be transmitted to the wireless area network and the IEEE 802 specification network delivery policy functional element. After receiving the layer 2.5 trigger information, the IEEE 802 standard network handover policy function element can use the layer 2.5 trigger information as part of the handover decision procedure, and then cause handover to interrupt the active communication connection (using the symbol "X") indicated) and enable the active communication connection to continue in the cellular network/WTRU connection (not shown).

In the synchronous wireless mode operation, the radio resource control layer element is a layer 2.5 element that can independently transmit the background radio resource control layer handover related information to IEEE 802.XX standard stack elements via interface b, wherein, IEEE 802. Layer 2.5 components of XX standard stacking components can pass path 3, so as to relay background radio resource control layer handover related information to the wireless area network, and then transfer background radio resource control layer handover related information to the cellular network, Further, a cellular network/wireless area network handover connection is established. Alternatively, the radio resource control layer component can independently transmit background radio resource control layer handover related information to the cellular network via path 4, and indicate that wireless communication is currently implemented using layer 2.5 of the IEEE 802.XX standard network Handover processing.

In the case where the handover decision or condition is determined by the WTRU, the layer 2.5 element of the WTRU's IEEE 802.XX stacked elements preferably communicates this to the IEEE 802 specification network handover Policy function element. Preferably, then, the IEEE 802 specification network handover policy function can form the final decision for handover to the cellular network. The layer 2.5 elements of the WLAN can send a signal to the cellular network if the final decision is to proceed. After handover to the cellular network, preferably, subsequent handover actions can be determined by using the cellular network-IEEE 802 specification network handover policy functional element, as shown in FIG. 6 .

8 is an illustration showing a wireless transmission/reception unit, wherein the wireless transmission/reception unit can operate in four different network types of wireless communication environments, namely: Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Third Generation Cooperation Project, IEEE 802.11 standard wireless local area network, and IEEE 802.16 standard wireless local area network. The WTRU of FIG. 8 has a transceiver 50 for implementing signaling of various network types. The transceiver 50 has a GSM stack element for processing the GSM physical layer (L1), the GSM media access control layer (L2), the GSM cellular radio link control layer, and the GSM The communication protocol of the wireless resource management layer of the communication system. In addition, the transceiver 50 also has a 3GPP stacking element to process the 3CP Physical Layer (L1), the 3CP MAC Layer (L2), the 3CP A communication protocol of the cellular RLC layer and a 3GPP RRC layer. In addition, the transceiver also has IEEE 802.11 standard stacking components to handle the communication protocols of the IEEE 802.11 standard physical layer (L1), the IEEE 802.11 standard media access control layer (L2), and the IEEE 802.11 standard logical link control layer. In addition, the transceiver 50 also has an IEEE 802.16 standard stacking element for processing the communication protocols of the IEEE 802.16 standard physical layer (L1), the IEEE 802.16 standard medium access control layer (L2), and the IEEE 802.16 standard logical link control layer . In addition, an interface element b' can be provided to facilitate layer 2.5 signaling between the four stacked elements. Unlike layer 2.5 elements of a WLAN element stack, layer 2.5 elements may be implemented within interface b'. The trigger information translation of the active communication communication protocol stack components can be formed in the layer 2.5 components, so that the trigger information can be understood by wireless communication systems of different network types, and the wireless communication systems of different network types are active communication The handover candidates enable the wireless communication of any network type that the WTRU wants to communicate with to be handed over to the wireless communication of another network type.

FIG. 8 is an illustration showing signaling in which the wireless communication of the IEEE 802.11 specification network of the active WLAN is handed over to the GSM cellular network. In such an example, wireless communications may be controlled using the IEEE 802 Specification Network Handover Policy function element of the IEEE 802.1 Specification WLAN. The labels for path five and path six respectively denote two alternative paths for Layer 2.5 triggering that may be brought to the IEEE 802 specification NHP functional element for IEEE 802.11 specification WLANs. In the layer 2.5 signal transmission of the path 5, the layer 2.5 component can use the IEEE802 standard stacking component to communicate wirelessly with the IEEE 802 standard network handover policy function component of the WLAN through an active communication connection. In the signal transmission of path six, the WTRU may be connected to the GSM cellular network via the GSM cellular stack element. The wireless transmission/reception unit 50 can transmit layer 2.5 trigger information to the cellular network, and wherein the layer 2.5 trigger information can be transmitted to the IEEE 802.11 standard wireless Local area network and IEEE 802 specification network handover policy functional element. After receiving the layer 2.5 trigger information, the IEEE 802 standard network handover policy function element can use the layer 2.5 trigger information as part of the handover decision process, and then cause handover to enable active IEEE 802.11 standard WLAN wireless communication Interrupting the connection (indicated by the symbol "X") and enabling the active IEEE 802.11 WLAN wireless communication connection to continue at the GSM cellular network/WTRU connection (not shown).

As indicated by the dotted line, the wireless transmission/reception unit in FIG. 8 may also include a wired signal processing element W. As shown in FIG. Preferably, the wired signal processing element W can implement another network type communication protocol, and then process the network communication signal received by the wireless transmission/reception unit through the wired connection, and selectively establish the network signal to implement communication through the wired connection . In this example, the interface element b' facilitates layer 2.5 signaling to the wired signal processing element and the wireless stacking element, thereby allowing handover between wired and wireless communications. In the case where the WTRU includes wired signal processing elements, the present invention is also applicable even if the WTRU only has a single wireless operation mode.

Although the various features and elements of the present invention have been described in detail above in conjunction with specific combinations of the preferred embodiments, the various features and elements of the present invention can also be used alone (without necessarily having other features and elements of the preferred embodiments) ), or various features and elements of the present invention can also have different combinations (without necessarily having or omitting other features and elements of the preferred embodiment).

Preferably, the layer 2.5 components of FIGS. 6-8 may be implemented in a single integrated circuit, such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), where the single integrated circuit is a stack of components having interface components and implementing individual wireless network communication protocols. However, these elements may also be implemented on multiple separate integrated circuits.

In addition, the detailed description of the preferred embodiment refers to a specific WTRU and network configuration, however, the specific WTRU and network configuration are only examples of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention to a specific WTRU and network configuration. In view of this, on the premise of not departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, those skilled in the art can implement various changes and adjustments to the present invention.

Preferred embodiment:

1. A wireless transmission/reception unit having a transceiver for use in multiple network types.

2. The wireless transmission/reception unit according to item 1 of the preferred embodiment, the wireless transmission/reception unit is used in a cellular wireless communication system.

3. The wireless transmission/reception unit as described in the previous items of the preferred embodiment, the wireless transmission/reception unit is used in the GSM system.

4. The WTRU as described in the previous items of the preferred embodiment, the WTRU is used in the 3GPP system.

5. The WTRU as described in the previous items of the preferred embodiment, the WTRU is for IEEE 802 family of specifications compliant WLAN.

6. The WTRU as described in the previous items of the preferred embodiment, the WTRU is used in IEEE 802.11 standard system.

7. The WTRU as described in the previous items of the preferred embodiment, the WTRU is used in IEEE 802.16 standard system.

8. The WTRU as described in the previous items of the preferred embodiment, the WTRU is used in IEEE 802.21 standard system.

9. The wireless transmission/reception unit as described in the previous items of the preferred embodiment, the wireless transmission/reception unit has a transceiver for receiving and transmitting multiple types of selectively established wireless communication signals, various types of wireless communication signals is established based on a preferred signal configuration for communication of the type of network that the WTRU intends to communicate with.

10. The WTRU according to item 9 of the preferred embodiment, the WTRU is used in a wireless network.

11. The WTRU as described in items 9-10 of the preferred embodiment, at least one type of network that the WTRU wants to communicate with is a wired network.

10. The wireless transmission/reception unit as described in the previous items of the preferred embodiment, the wireless transmission/reception unit includes a plurality of signal processing elements, so as to implement communication protocols of different network types, and then process the individual network received by the transceiver types of network communication signals, and further selectively establish network communication signals of individual network types to be transmitted by the transceiver.

11. The wireless transmission/reception unit as described in the previous items of the preferred embodiment, the wireless transmission/reception unit includes an interconnection network decision-making element, which is used to identify different network types, so as to receive wireless communication signals according to different network types to implement wireless communication, and thereby implement a change in network type selection for receiving wireless communication signals.

12. The wireless transmission/reception unit as described in the previous items of the preferred embodiment, the wireless transmission/reception unit includes an interface element, and the interface element uses the interconnection network decision element between these signal processing elements to communicate signal, whereby a wireless transmission/reception unit communication can continue when the communication of a signal of one network type is switched to the communication of a signal of a different network type.

13. The wireless transmission/reception unit as described in the previous items of the preferred embodiment, the wireless transmission/reception unit is used for both the cellular network and the wireless area network, wherein the plurality of signal processing elements has a cellular signal processing element To process the cellular signals of the cellular physical layer, the cellular media access control layer, the cellular radio link control layer, and the cellular radio resource control layer.

14. The wireless transmission/reception unit as described in item 13 of the preferred embodiment, the wireless transmission/reception unit is used for cellular network and wireless area network at the same time, wherein, these signal processing elements also have a wireless area network signal processing The component processes WLAN signals of the WLAN physical layer, the WLAN MAC layer, and the WLAN logical link control layer.

15. The wireless transmission/reception unit as described in items 13-14 of the preferred embodiment, the wireless transmission/reception unit further includes an interconnection network decision-making element, which is used to interface the cellular radio resource control layer and the cellular signal processing element The WLAN medium access control layer of the WLAN signal processing element.

16. The WTRU as described in the preceding items of the preferred embodiment, wherein the interconnection network decision element is used as another additional layer (layer 2.5) of the WLAN signal processing element to provide interconnection Indication service of network handover, network advertisement and discovery service, and mobile service, and the interface element is used for signaling between another additional layer (layer 2.5) of the wireless area network and the cellular radio resource control layer.

17. The WTRU as described in the preceding items of the preferred embodiment, wherein the IDN decision element as another additional layer (layer 2.5) is used to implement an indication service, which is to establish the wireless zone Another additional layer (Layer 2.5) of the network triggers the mobile service to form a handover decision based on the triggers of the physical layer and the MAC layer.

18. The WTRU as described in item 17 of the preferred embodiment, wherein, as another additional layer (Layer 2.5), the Interconnect Network Decision Element is used to establish a higher protocol layer trigger to transmit In the higher communication protocol layer signal transmission interface.

19. The WTRU as described in the preferred embodiment clauses 17-18, wherein, as another additional layer (layer 2.5), the Internetwork Decision-Making Element is used to establish physical layer and media access control Layer triggers are sent to the physical layer and MAC layer signaling interfaces.

20. The WTRU according to clauses 17-18 of the preferred embodiment, wherein an additional layer (layer 2.5) of the interconnected network decision element is used to implement network advertising and discovery services, which is to maintain a list of neighboring networks to manage network discovery and selection.

21. The WTRU of preferred embodiment clause 20 wherein the list of neighboring networks has individual network capabilities whereby online advertising and discovery services can interact with these mobile services to deliver information to these mobile services and enable these mobile services to form appropriate handover decisions.

22. The WTRU as described in the preferred embodiment clauses 17-21, wherein, as another additional layer (layer 2.5) of the Internet network decision element is used to implement mobile services, whereby according to the wireless The type of network that the T/R unit wants to communicate with to perform secure content delivery and pre-authentication functions for inter-network handover.

23. The WTRU of preferred embodiment clauses 17-22, wherein an additional layer (layer 2.5) of the interconnection network decision element is based on a desired QoS level to form a handover decision, and then hand over the communication of signals of one network type to the communication of signals of a different network type.

24. The wireless transmission/reception unit as described in items 17-23 of the preferred embodiment, wherein, as another additional layer (layer 2.5), the interconnection network decision-making element forms the handover decision according to the communication link condition, Furthermore, the communication of signals of one network type is handed over to the communication of signals of another different network type.

25. The WTRU according to clauses 17-24 of the preferred embodiment, wherein the interconnection network decision element as another additional layer (2.5 layers) is based on user preference to form the handover decision, and then Handoff traffic of signals of one network type to traffic of signals of a different network type.

26. The wireless transmission/reception unit as described in items 17-24 of the preferred embodiment, the wireless transmission/reception unit is used to form a handover decision, and then hand over the communication of one network type signal to another Communication of signals of different network types, whereby these mobile services can be independent of the physical requirements of the network presented by the physical layer and MAC layer elements.

27. The WTRU as described in the preceding items of the preferred embodiment, wherein the inter-network decision element is another additional layer (layer 2.5) as an interface element to provide an indication of inter-network switching Services, Web Advertising and Discovery Services, and Mobile Services.

28. The WTRU as described in the preceding items of the preferred embodiment, wherein the interface component is used for signaling between another additional layer (layer 2.5) of the WLAN and multiple signal processing components.

29. The wireless transmission/reception unit described in the previous items of the preferred embodiment, the wireless transmission/reception unit is used for both cellular network and wireless area network, the wireless transmission/reception unit has multiple signal processing elements, wherein, The signal processing elements have a GSM cellular signal processing element to process the GSM cellular physical layer, the GSM cellular media access control layer, the GSM cellular radio link control layer, and the GSM cellular GSM cellular signaling at the cellular radio resource control layer.

30. The wireless transmission/reception unit as described in the previous items of the preferred embodiment, the wireless transmission/reception unit is used for cellular network and wireless area network at the same time, the wireless transmission/reception unit has multiple signal processing elements, these signals The processing element also has a 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) cellular signal processing element to process the 3rd Generation Partnership Project Cell Physical Layer, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project Cell Media Access Control Layer, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project Cell Radio Link Control Layer , and the 3rd generation cooperative project cellular signal of the 3rd generation cooperative project cellular radio resource control layer.

31. The wireless transmission/reception unit as described in the previous items of the preferred embodiment, the wireless transmission/reception unit is used for both cellular network and wireless area network, the wireless transmission/reception unit has multiple signal processing elements, these signals The processing element also has an IEEE 802.11 standard wireless local area network signal processing element to process the IEEE 802.11 standard wireless local area network physical layer, the IEEE 802.11 standard wireless local area network medium access control layer, and the IEEE 802.11 standard wireless local area network logical connection control layer 802.11 specification WLAN signal.

32. The wireless transmission/reception unit as described in the previous items of the preferred embodiment, the wireless transmission/reception unit is used for both the cellular network and the wireless area network, the wireless transmission/reception unit has a plurality of signal processing elements, these The signal processing element also has an IEEE 802.16 standard wireless local area network signal processing element to process the IEEE 802.16 standard wireless local area network physical layer, the IEEE 802.16 standard wireless local area network medium access control layer, and the IEEE 802.16 standard wireless local area network logical connection control layer IEEE 802.16 specification WLAN signal.

33. The WTRU as described in the previous items of the preferred embodiment, the WTRU is used for both cellular network and wireless area network, wherein the interconnected network decision element is used to interface cellular processing components and WLAN processing components.

34. The WTRU as described in the previous items of the preferred embodiment, wherein the signal processing element is configured to process network communication signals received by the WTRU via a wired connection.

32. The wireless transmission/reception unit as described in the previous items of the preferred embodiment, the wireless transmission/reception unit is used for both wireless network and wired network, wherein the wireless transmission/reception unit has a plurality of signal processing elements, The signal processing elements have a wired signal processing element to process wired signals of the physical layer, medium access control layer, and logical connection control layer.

33. The wireless transmission/reception unit as described in the previous items of the preferred embodiment, the wireless transmission/reception unit is used for both wireless network and wired network, wherein the interconnection network decision-making element is used to interface the wired signal processing element and wireless signal processing components.

Although the various features and elements of the present invention have been described in detail above in conjunction with specific combinations of the preferred embodiments, the various features and elements of the present invention can also be used alone (without necessarily having other features and elements of the preferred embodiments) ), or various features and elements of the present invention can also have different combinations (without necessarily having or omitting other features and elements of the preferred embodiment).

Claims (7)

1. A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), comprising: IEEE 802.XX standard stacking components, including: a wireless area network (WLAN) physical (PHY) layer element configured to communicate with a first type of network, wherein the first type of network is an IEEE 802 wireless network; a WLAN media access control (MAC) layer element configured to communicate with said WLAN PHY layer element; a Logical Link Control (LLC) layer element configured to communicate with said WLAN MAC layer element; and a layer 2.5 interconnection network decision element configured to communicate directly with said WLAN PHY layer element, said WLAN MAC layer element, and a higher layer element, and said layer 2.5 interconnection network decision element is further configured to communicate via an interface element b communicating with the Cell PHY layer element, the Cell MAC layer element, and the higher layer elements; Honeycomb stack elements, including: a cellular PHY layer element configured to communicate with a second type of network, a cellular MAC layer element configured to communicate with said cellular PHY layer element; a cellular radio link control (RLC) layer element configured to communicate with said cellular MAC layer element; and a cellular radio resource control (RRC) layer element configured to communicate with said cellular RLC layer element; as well as at least one transceiver, wherein said WLAN PHY layer element and said cellular PHY layer element are contained within said at least one transceiver; said interface element b connects said cellular RRC layer element with said layer 2.5 interconnection network decision element, and Wherein the layer 2.5 interconnection network decision element is further configured to provide mobility services for inter-network handover, indication services, and network advertisement and discovery services for managing discovery and selection of networks. 2. The WTRU of claim 1, wherein the indication service is configured to: Establishing triggers for Layer 2.5 mobility services to make handover decisions based on triggers from said WLAN PHY layer element and Cellular PHY layer element and said WLAN MAC layer element and Cellular MAC layer element. 3. The WTRU of claim 2, wherein the handover trigger comprises a downlink link trigger. 4. The WTRU of claim 2, wherein the handover trigger comprises an uplink connection trigger. 5. The WTRU of claim 1, wherein the network advertisement and discovery service is configured to maintain a list of neighboring networks, the list including network capability information. 6. The WTRU of claim 5, wherein the network capability information includes quality of service (QoS) information. 7. The WTRU of claim 5, wherein the network capability information includes link condition information.

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