HK1156784A - Method and system for reporting evolved utran capabilities - Google Patents

Description

Method and system for reporting evolved UTRAN capabilities

This application is a divisional application of chinese patent application No. 200680017317, entitled "reporting expanded UTRAN capability method and system", filed on 16.5.2006.

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to wireless communication systems, and more particularly to a method and system for reporting evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN) capabilities.

Background

Today, many different types of wireless access systems provide different types of services, including, for example, Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs), such as IEEE 802 based networks, and cellular networks, such as enhanced data rates … for UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Networks (UTRAN), Global Packet Radio Service (GPRS)/global system for mobile communications (GSM) evolution (EDGE) radio access networks (GERAN), etc., each of which has been well developed and provides specific applications.

Plans for E-UTRAN have been proposed to improve wireless system capacity and enhance performance. The E-UTRAN would have significant advantages over existing wireless communication systems and may also provide additional services through the E-UTRAN. Fig. 1 is a diagram of an integrated wireless communication system 100 that also includes the E-UTRAN. The system 100 includes an access system level 110, a network level 120, and a multimedia level 130. The ACCESS SYSTEM STAGE 110 includes RANs, a Core Network (CN)116, and a developed CN 117. The RANs comprise a Generic Access Network (GAN)111, a GERAN 112, a UTRAN 113, an E-UTRAN 114, and an interworking wireless local area network (I-WLAN) 115. The RANs 111-115 are connected to the CN 116 or the deployed CN 117 to provide services, such as multimedia services provided by an Internet Protocol (IP) multimedia subsystem (IMS)111, to one or more WTRUs, while interacting with an authorization, authentication and charging (AAA) server 121, a Mobile IP (MIP) server 122, or other network entity in the network hierarchy 120 via a communication Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN)118 or a packet data communication gateway (PDG) 119.

Currently, there are multi-mode WTRUs that support several wireless communication systems, and the capabilities of each wtru may vary. For example, some WTRUs may only support UMTS, while other WTRUs support I-WLAN, and future E-UTRAN-capable WTRUs may be present. When a WTRU supports E-UTRAN, it is desirable to report the capabilities of the WTRU to the CN and report additional E-UTRAN services to the WTRUs so that the WTRUs may receive and/or use the additional services.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention relates to a method and system for reporting E-UTRAN capability. The WTRU sends a first message to report the E-UTRAN capabilities of the WTRU to the CN. The CN then updates the WTRU capabilities based on the first information. The first information may include a radio access capability Information Element (IE) carrying information about the E-UTRAN capabilities of the WTRU and/or a network capability IE carrying information about the network capabilities of the WTRU. The CN may send a second message to the WTRU reporting on the capabilities of the Radio Access Networks (RANs) connected to the core network and the services available in the E-UTRAN.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example conventional integrated wireless communication network including an E-UTRAN and an evolved CN;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of one embodiment of an integrated wireless communication network, implemented in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a process for reporting E-UTRAN capabilities of a multi-mode WTRU in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are schematic diagrams of network capabilities IEs according to the prior art and the present invention, respectively; and

fig. 5A and 5B are schematic diagrams illustrating radio access capabilities IEs according to the prior art and the present invention, respectively.

Detailed Description

When referred to hereafter, a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) includes, but is not limited to, a user equipment, a mobile station, a fixed or mobile subscriber unit, a pager, or any other device capable of use in a wireless environment.

The features of the present invention may be integrated within an Integrated Circuit (IC) or may be provided on a circuit comprising a multitude of interconnecting components.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram of one embodiment of an integrated wireless communication system 200 configured in accordance with the present invention. In fig. 2, different types of WTRUs 202a-202d having different capabilities are in communication with the integrated system 200, the integrated system 200 including a number of different types of RANs 212, 214, 216 and 218. For example, a mobile phone 202a and a Personal Data Assistant (PDA)202b communicate with the Global Standard for Mobile communications (GSM) RAN 212 and UMTS/GPRS RAN 214, while a laptop computer 202c communicates with the UMTS/GPES 214 and I-WLAN 216, and another laptop computer 202d communicates with UMTS/GPRS 214, I-WLAN 216 and E-UTRAN 218. All of the WTRUs 202a-202d are capable of communicating with the UMTS/GPRS RAN 214. As mentioned above, the system 200 of FIG. 2 is merely one example, and thus, there may be different forms of WTRUs with different capabilities, and different forms and combinations of RANs are possible.

Each of the RANs 212-218 is connected to a CN entity. For example, the GSM RAN 212 is connected to a Mobile Switching Center (MSC)222 for processing calls using GSM Radio Access Technology (RAT). The UMTS/GPRS RAN 214 is connected to a GPRS Support Node (GSN)224 for supporting UMTS and GPRS services. The I-WLAN 216 is coupled to a PDG and/or a WLAN Access Gateway (WAG)226 for supporting WLAN services. The E-UTRAN 218 is connected to the deployed CN 228 for supporting E-UTRAN services. The CN entity 222 and 228 are further connected to other network entities, such as a Visitor Location Register (VLR)230, a Home Location Register (HLR)234, and a Short Message Service (SMS) communication Gateway Mobile Switching Center (GMSC)/interactive mobile switching center (IW-MSC)232, to provide services, such as SMS services from a service center 236. The SMS-GMSC/IW-MSC 232 acts as a communication grid between the service center 236 and the MSC 232, the GSN 224 or the PDG/WAG 226. The SMS-GMSC/IW-MSC 232 accepts mobile termination or generates information from the MSC 222, the GSN 224 or the PDG/WAG 226 and passes the information to the MSC 222, the GSN 224 or the PDG/WAG 226.

According to the present invention, a WTRU 202a-202d reports WTRU capabilities including E-UTRAN capabilities to the CN via the UMTS/GPRS RAN 214. After the CN learns of the capabilities of the WTRUs 202a-202d, the CN may report network capabilities, such as interactive capabilities and other types of services (e.g., services available to E-UTRAN capable WTRUs), to the WTRUs 202a-202d via the UMTS/GPRS RAN 214.

The operator may provide the WTRU (optionally upon WTRU request) with inter-access network information (e.g., access name, type, capabilities, etc.) regarding locally available 3GPP and non-3 GPP access technologies. The inter-access network information may include operator preferences based on locally available 3GPP and non-3 GPP access technologies, and may be restricted to access technologies and/or networks that the WTRU may use based on WTRU capabilities and/or subscription.

Figure 3 is a flow diagram of a process 300 for reporting E-UTRAN capabilities of a multi-mode WTRU 302, which is implemented in accordance with the present invention. The WTRU 302 includes a plurality of wireless units supporting a plurality of wireless communication interfaces such as E-UTRAN air interface, I-WLAN air interface, GPRS/GSM air interface …, and the like. Preferably, the WTRU 302 notifies the CN of its E-UTRAN capabilities during attach procedures (i.e., registration) with the UMTS system.

After powering on at step 312, the WTRU 302 sends a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection request message to a Radio Network Controller (RNC)304 of a UMTS/GPRS RAN to establish a connection with the UMTS/GPRS RAN (step 314). The RNC 304 performs an admission control procedure based on a number of factors, such as resource availability, etc. (step 316). If the RNC 304 determines to admit the WTRU 302, the RNC 304 sends an RRC connection setup message to the WTRU 302 (step 318). The WTRU 302 then sends an RRC connection complete message to the RNC 304 (step 320).

The WTRU 302 then sends an attach request message to the RNC 304 to receive GPRS services (step 322). According to the present invention, the E-UTRAN capability information is sent along with the attach request message. The RNC 304 selects a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) to serve the WTRU 302 and forwards the attach request message to the selected SGSN along with the E-UTRAN capability information (step 324). Authentication and security functions are then performed between the WTRU 302 and the SGSN 306 (step 326). Once the WTRU 302 is authenticated at step 328, the SGSN 306 sends an update WTRU capabilities message to the HLR 308 to update the WTRU's capabilities (step 330). The SGSN 306 then sends an attach accept message to the WTRU 302 via the RNC 304 (steps 332, 334). The SGSN 306 can include information reporting the network capabilities in the attach accept message.

According to the present invention, a radio access capability IE and a network capability IE of an existing GPRS/UMTS capability message have been modified to include new values for reporting the E-UTRAN capability message to the CN.

Fig. 4A and 4B show network capabilities IEs before modification and after modification in accordance with the present invention. The network capability IE reports the WTRU characteristics to the CN. As shown in fig. 4B, the network capability IE contains a new value 400 to indicate the E-UTRAN capabilities of the WTRU, such as I-wlan interworking capabilities, in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 5A and 5B show the radio access capabilities IEs before modification and after modification according to the present invention. The radio access capability IEs reports information about the wireless status of the WTRU to the CN. As shown in fig. 5B, the radio access capability IE includes a new value 500 for reporting the multi-mode capabilities of the WTRU to the CN (e.g., support for E-UTRAN and/or other technologies). The new value 500 in the radio access capability IE carries the E-UTRAN capability status of all the WTRUs that include support technologies (e.g., Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), etc.), supported bandwidths (e.g., 5MHz, 10MHz, 15MHz, 20MHz, etc.), scalability (scalability), supported bit rates, quality of service (QoS) support, terminal form (e.g., PDA, laptop, phone), memory size, screen size, processing power, etc.

As described above, after updating the WTRU capabilities, the CN may send a second message to the WTRU 302 reporting the availability of new network capabilities (e.g., I-WLAN capabilities and expanded CN capabilities) or services available on the E-UTRAN. The second information may be included in the attach accept message or in any other message. The validity of the new network capability may be indicated by using the same network capability IE as in fig. 4B.

Examples

1. A method of reporting a terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN) capability of a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU).

2. The method of embodiment 1 comprising a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) sending a first message to a Core Network (CN), wherein the first message reports the WTRU's E-UTRAN capabilities to the CN.

3. The method of embodiment 2 wherein the CN updates the WTRU capabilities based on the first information.

4. The method as in any embodiments 2-3, wherein the first message includes a radio access capability Information Element (IE) carrying information about the E-UTRAN capabilities of the WTRU.

5. The method of embodiment 4 wherein the radio access capability IE comprises at least one of: support technology information, support bandwidth information, scalability information, support bit rate information, quality of service (QoS) information, terminal form information, memory size information, screen size information, and processing power information.

6. The method as in any embodiments 2-5, wherein the WTRU supports at least one of: an E-UTRAN air interface, a UTRAN air interface, an interactive wireless local area network (I-WLAN) air interface, and a Global Packet Radio Service (GPRS) and Global Standard for Mobile communications (GSM) air interface.

7. The method as in any embodiments 2-6, wherein the first message includes a network capability Information Element (IE) carrying information about network capabilities of the WTRU.

8. The method of embodiment 7 wherein the network capability IE contains information about the interworking capability of an interactive wireless local area network (I-WLAN).

9. The method as in any embodiments 2-8, wherein the first message is transmitted during an attach procedure.

10. The method as in any embodiments 2-9, further comprising the CN sending a second message to the WTRU, the second message reporting network capabilities regarding Radio Access Networks (RANs) connected to the CN.

11. The method of embodiment 10 wherein the second information includes information regarding interworking capabilities of an interactive wireless local area network (I-WLAN).

12. The method as in any embodiments 10-11, wherein the second information comprises information about services available on the E-UTRAN.

13. The method as in any embodiments 10-12, wherein the second message is transmitted during an attach procedure.

14. The method as in any embodiments 1-13, wherein the CN provides the WTRU with information regarding an inter-access network of locally available third generation partnership (3GPP) and non-3 GPP access technologies.

15. The method of embodiment 14 wherein the inter-access network information is provided upon request from the WTRU.

16. The method as in any embodiments 14-15, wherein the inter-access network information includes at least one of access name, type, and capability.

17. A method as in any embodiments 14-16 wherein the inter-access network information comprises operator preferences based on locally available third generation partnership (3GPP) and non-3 GPP access technologies.

18. The method as in any embodiments 14-17, wherein the inter-access network information is limited to access technologies/networks that the WTRU is capable of using based on WTRU capabilities and reservations.

19. An integrated wireless communication system for reporting a terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN) capability of a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU).

20. The system of embodiment 19 comprising a Core Network (CN); and a wireless transmit/receive end unit (WTRU) configured to send a first message to the CN reporting the WTRU's E-UTRAN capabilities to the CN, wherein the CN updates the WTRU capabilities based on the first message.

21. The system of embodiment 20 wherein the first message includes a radio access capability Information Element (IE) carrying information regarding E-UTRAN capabilities of the WTRU.

22. The system as in any embodiments 20-21, wherein the radio access capability IE comprises at least one of: support technology information, support bandwidth information, scalability information, support bit rate information, quality of service (QoS) information, terminal form information, memory size information, screen size information, and processing power information.

23. The system as in any embodiments 20-22, wherein the CN is connected to a plurality of Radio Access Networks (RANs) according to different radio access technology (rat) deployments, the technologies including at least one of: an E-UTRAN, a UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN), an interactive wireless local area network (I-WLAN), and a Global Packet Radio Service (GPRS) and global standard for mobile communications (GSM) network.

24. The system as in any embodiments 20-23, wherein the first information comprises a network capability Information Element (IE) carrying information about network capabilities of the WTRU.

25. The system as in any embodiments 20-24, wherein the network capability IE includes information about interworking capability of an interactive wireless local area network (I-WLAN).

26. The system as in any embodiments 20-25, wherein the first message is transmitted during an attach procedure.

27. The system as in any embodiments 20-25, wherein the CN is configured to send a second message to the WTRU, the second message reporting network capabilities regarding Radio Access Networks (RANs) connected to the CN.

28. The system of embodiment 27 wherein the RANs comprise an interactive wireless local area network (I-WLAN) and the second information comprises information regarding interworking capabilities of the I-WLAN.

29. A system as in any of embodiments 27-28 wherein the second information comprises information regarding services available on the E-UTRAN.

30. The system as in any embodiments 27-29, wherein the second message is transmitted during an attach procedure.

31. The system as in any embodiments 20-30, wherein the CN provides the WTRU with information regarding an inter-access network of locally available third generation partnership (3GPP) and non-3 GPP access technologies.

32. The system of embodiment 31 wherein the inter-access network information is provided upon request from the WTRU.

33. The system as in any embodiments 31-32, wherein the inter-access network information comprises at least one of access name, type, and capability.

34. A system as in any of embodiments 31-33 wherein the inter-access network information comprises operator preferences based on locally available third generation partnership (3GPP) and non-3 GPP access technologies.

35. The system as in any embodiments 31-34 wherein the inter-access network information is limited to access technologies/networks that the WTRU is capable of using based on WTRU capabilities and subscription.

Although the features and elements of the present invention are described in the embodiments in particular combinations, each feature or element can be used alone without the other features and elements of the preferred embodiments or in various combinations with or without other features and elements of the present invention. While the invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments, other variations which do not depart from the scope of the invention as claimed will become apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims (12)

1. A method for use in a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), the method comprising:

generating an attach request message including information reporting an evolved universal mobile telecommunications system terrestrial radio access network, E-UTRAN, capability of the WTRU, wherein the attach request message includes a network capability information element, IE, including information regarding a network capability of the WTRU;

transmitting the attach request message to a core network CN via a first radio access network RAN;

receiving an attach receive message from the CN via the first RAN; and

receiving a service from the CN via the first RAN.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the attach request message includes a radio access capability IE containing information about the E-UTRAN capabilities.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the radio access capability IE includes supported technology information, supported bandwidth information, scalability information, supported bit rate information, quality of service QoS information, terminal form information, memory size information, screen size information, or processing power information.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a message from the CN indicating a second RAN through which the CN is accessible.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the second RAN comprises an interactive wireless local area network (I-WLAN).

6. The method of claim 4 wherein the second RAN comprises an E-UTRAN.

7. A wireless transmit/receive unit, WTRU, comprising:

a controller configured to generate an attach request message including information reporting an evolved universal mobile telecommunications system terrestrial radio access network, E-UTRAN, capability of the WTRU, wherein the attach request message includes a network capability information element, IE, including information regarding a network capability of the WTRU;

a transmitter configured to send the attach request message to a core network CN via a first radio access network RAN; and

a receiver configured to:

receiving an attach receive message from the CN via the first RAN; and

receiving a service from the CN via the first RAN.

8. The WTRU of claim 7 wherein the controller is configured to include a radio access capability IE in the attach request message, the radio access capability IE containing information regarding the E-UTRAN capability.

9. The WTRU of claim 8 wherein the controller is configured to include supported technology information, supported bandwidth information, scalability information, supported bit rate information, quality of service QoS information, terminal form information, memory size information, screen size information, or processing power information in the radio access capability IE.

10. The WTRU of claim 8 wherein the receiver is configured to receive a message from the CN indicating a second RAN through which the CN is accessible.

11. The WTRU of claim 10 wherein the second RAN comprises an interactive wireless local area network I-WLAN.

12. The WTRU of claim 10 wherein the second RAN comprises an E-UTRAN.