HK1170888B - Providing an indicator of presence of a first access network that is capable of interworking with a second access network - Google Patents

Description

Providing an indicator indicating the presence of a first access network capable of interworking with a second access network

Background

Various wireless access technologies have been proposed or implemented to enable mobile stations to communicate with other mobile stations or with wired terminals connected to a wired network. Examples of radio access technologies include GSM (global system for mobile communications) and UMTS (universal mobile telecommunications system) technologies defined by the third generation partnership project (3 GPP); and CDMA 2000 (code division multiple access 2000) technology as defined by 3GPP 2. CDMA 2000 defines a type of packet-switched (packet-switched) radio access network, referred to as an HRPD (high rate packet data) radio access network.

Another newer standard providing packet switched radio access networks is the Long Term Evolution (LTE) standard from 3GPP, which aims to improve the UMTS technology. The LTE standard is also referred to as the EUTRA (evolved universal terrestrial radio access) standard. EUTRA technology is considered to be fourth generation (4G) technology, and wireless network operators are transitioning to (roaming to) fourth generation technology to provide enhanced services.

Disclosure of Invention

In general, in accordance with some embodiments, a method includes a mobile station receiving control information including an indicator indicating the presence of a first access network capable of interworking with a second access network, wherein the first access network operates according to a first protocol and the second access network operates according to a second, different protocol. In response to receiving the indicator, the mobile station executes a procedure to establish a personality (personality) of the mobile station that specifies a configuration to allow the mobile station to use a characteristic of the first access network that is capable of interworking with the second access network.

Other or additional features will become apparent from the following description, the drawings, and the claims.

Drawings

Some embodiments are described with reference to the following drawings:

fig. 1 is a block diagram of an example configuration including different types of wireless access networks, which may include some embodiments;

fig. 2 is a flow chart of steps performed by a mobile station according to some embodiments;

fig. 3 is a flow chart of steps performed by a base station in a radio access network according to some embodiments; and

fig. 4 is a block diagram of a wireless station according to some embodiments.

Detailed Description

The wireless network operator is transitioning to a fourth generation (4G) wireless network. One such type of 4G wireless network is a Long Term Evolution (LTE) wireless network defined by the third generation partnership project (3 GPP). The LTE standard is also referred to as the EUTRA (evolved universal terrestrial radio access) standard.

The transition from CDMA (code division multiple access) 2000 technology (HRPD (high rate packet data) technology as defined by 3GPP 2) to EUTRA technology involves various challenges. One technique that allows a transition from HRPD to EUTRA involves the use of evolved HRPD (ehrpd) technology. The eHRPD wireless access network is capable of interworking with an EUTRA wireless access network. A mobile station supporting eHRPD technology may be handed over between an eHRPD access network and an EUTRA access network. In addition, a mobile station supporting eHRPD technology may implement cell re-selection (cell re-selection) on the EUTRA access network or on the eHRPD access network. Different wireless protocols may use different types of modulation for wireless communication, such as OFDM (orthogonal frequency division multiplexing), GMSK (gaussian minimum shift keying), 8PSK (8-phase shift keying), or CDMA modulation.

A mobile communication system maintained by a wireless network provider may not implement eHRPD capabilities in all HRPD access networks. In other words, certain HRPD access networks in the HRPD coverage area are eHRPD enabled (these access networks are referred to as eHRPD access networks), while other HRPD access networks in the HRPD coverage area do not support eHRPD capabilities (these access networks are referred to as HRPD access networks). For example, only those HRPD cells that overlap or are adjacent to EUTRA coverage may use the eHRPD access network.

Conventional approaches do not provide an efficient technique to initiate a conference negotiation procedure to establish an eHRPD personality when a mobile station transitions from an HRPD access network to an eHRPD access network. For example, a mobile station may power up (powerup) in a normal HRPD access network and then transition to (move into) eHRPD access network. The eHRPD personality includes a configuration to allow the mobile station to use the features of the eHRPD access network that are capable of interworking with the EUTRA network. The personality includes a protocol type (for identifying the protocol type used) and an attribute value (a value of a predefined attribute associated with the communication) used for communication between the mobile station and the access network. The eHRPD personality includes a protocol type and attribute values associated with the eHRPD technology that enable the mobile station to use the eHRPD feature. Without the established eHRPD personality, the mobile station will not be able to use the eHRPD feature.

In accordance with some embodiments, methods or techniques are provided to allow an eHRPD capable mobile station to efficiently determine when the mobile station is in an eHRPD access network. This may be accomplished by sending control information to the mobile station, where the control information includes an indicator (or indicators) of one or more access networks that are capable of using eHRPD. The control information may be sent by the eHRPD access network to which the mobile station has transitioned. In this case, the indicator in the control message is an indicator that indicates that the eHRPD access network to which the mobile station has transitioned is eHRPD capable. Alternatively, the mobile station may be provided with information that the neighboring access network of the access network in which the mobile station is currently located is eHRPD capable. In the latter case, the control information will include a plurality of indicators that neighboring access networks of the access network in which the mobile station is currently located are capable of using eHRPD.

When it is determined that the mobile station is in an access network capable of using eHRPD, the mobile station may implement eHRPD personality negotiation to establish a particular eHRPD personality for the mobile station.

Although reference may be made to HRPD, eHRPD, and EUTRA, it should be noted that, more generally, a mobile station may receive control information containing an indicator of the presence of a first access network capable of interworking with a second access network, where the first access network operates according to a first protocol and the second access network operates according to a second, different protocol. In response to receiving the indicator, the mobile station executes a procedure to establish a personality for the mobile station that specifies a configuration to allow the mobile station to use the characteristics of the first access network that are capable of interworking with the second access network. It should be noted that techniques according to some embodiments may be applied to other types of access networks, including, for example, WiMAX (worldwide interoperability for microwave access defined by IEEE 802.16), WiFi (defined by IEEE 802.11), and other types of access networks.

Fig. 1 shows an example configuration including different types of access networks, including an EUTRA access network 102, an HRPD access network 104, and an eHRPD access network 106. Although only one EUTRA access network 102, one HRPD access network 104, and one eHRPD access network 106 are shown in fig. 1, it should be noted that there are typically multiple EUTRA access networks, multiple HRPD access networks, and multiple eHRPD access networks. As used herein, the term "access network" or "wireless access network" refers to a device used to allow a mobile station to wirelessly connect through an access network to access services provided on a target network, such as packet data network 116.

In accordance with EUTRA technology, the EUTRA access network 102 includes an evolved node B (enodeb), which is a type of base station. HRPD access network 104 includes an HRPD base station and eHRPD access network 106 includes an eHRPD base station. The base station may perform one or more of the following tasks: radio resource management, mobility management for managing the movement of mobile stations, traffic routing, etc. In general, the term "base station" may refer to a cellular network base station, or an access point for use in any type of wireless network, or any type of wireless transmitter/receiver that communicates with mobile stations. The term "base station" may also include associated controllers, such as a base station controller or a radio network controller. It is contemplated that the term "base station" also refers to a femto (femto) base station or access point, a micro (miro) base station or access point, or a pico (pico) base station or access point. "mobile station" may refer to a cell phone, portable computer, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), or an embedded device such as a health monitor, attack alarm, etc.

As depicted in fig. 1, in the EUTRA network 100, a mobile station 108 is wirelessly connected to the EUTRA access network 102. The EUTRA access network 102 is then connected to various components, including a serving gateway 110 and a Mobility Management Entity (MME) 112. The MME112 is a control node of the EUTRA access network 102. For example, the MME112 is responsible for idle mode mobile station tracking and scheduling procedures. The MME112 is also responsible for selecting the serving gateway for the mobile station at initial attach and handover. The MME112 is also responsible for authenticating mobile station users.

Serving gateway 110 routes bearer packets. The service gateway 110 also serves as a mobility anchor (mobility anchor) for the user plane during handover between different access networks. The serving gateway 110 is also connected to a Packet Data Network (PDN) gateway 114, the Packet Data Network (PDN) gateway 114 providing connectivity between the mobile station 108 and a packet data network 116 (e.g., the internet, networks providing various services, etc.).

In the HRPD network 101, a mobile station 118 is in wireless connection with the HRPD access network 104. HRPD access network 104 is then connected to Packet Data Serving Node (PDSN)120, which packet data serving node 120 is then connected to packet data network 116.

And, to allow interworking between the HRPD network 101 and the EUTRA network 100, an eHRPD access network 106 is provided that is wirelessly connected to the mobile station 122. eHRPD access network 106 is then connected to an HRPD Serving Gateway (HSGW) 124. The HSGW 124 is an entity that terminates the eHRPD access network interface (interface) from the eHRPD access network 106. The HSGW 124 routes packet data streams originating at or terminating at the mobile station. The HSGW 124 provides interworking of mobile stations with the EUTRA network 100. The interworking functions include mobility support, policy control and charging (policycontrol and charging), access authentication, roaming, and other functions. The HSGW 124 supports seamless inter-technology mobility transfer between the EUTRA network 100 and the eHRPD access network 106.

References to EUTRA, HRPD, and eHRPD standards are intended to refer to current standards, as well as standards that evolve over time. It is contemplated that future standards evolved from EUTRA, HRPD, or eHRPD may be named by different names. It is contemplated that references to the "EUTRA," "HRPD," or "eHRPD" standards are also intended to cover subsequently evolving standards. Also, as noted above, these techniques or methods may be applied in systems employing other types of wireless protocols.

Fig. 2 is a flow chart of steps performed by a mobile station. The mobile station receives (at 202) a control message that includes an eHRPD capable indicator to indicate that a particular access network, such as eHRPD access network 106, is eHRPD capable. The control information received by the mobile station may be an overhead message (overhead message) broadcast by the access network over a control channel. One type of overhead message is HRPD fast configuration information. Another example overhead message is sector parameter information. Fast configuration information is used to indicate changes in the content of the overhead message. Sector parameter information is used to convey sector specific information to the mobile station. In other implementations, other types of control information may be used to inform the mobile station that a particular access network is capable of using eHRPD. In addition, it should be noted that the control information containing the eHRPD capable indicator may be information directed to a specific mobile station, instead of a broadcast message (broadcast message).

It should be noted that the control information merely indicates whether the access network to which the mobile station is currently connected is an eHRPD capable access network. Alternatively, the control information may indicate a set of access networks, including neighboring access networks available to eHRPD. In the latter case, multiple indicators are provided in the control message to indicate which of the multiple access networks are eHRPD capable. Thus, when the mobile station hands off to a new eHRPD access network 106, the mobile station knows that the new eHRPD access network 106 is eHRPD capable.

In response to the eHRPD indicator, and after the mobile station has connected to an eHRPD capable access network, the mobile station performs a procedure (at 204) to establish an eHRPD personality for the mobile station. In some examples, the procedure for establishing the eHRPD personality may be a session configuration procedure.

Once the eHRPD personality has been established for the mobile station, the mobile station can use the characteristics of an eHRPD capable access network (e.g., eHRPD access network 106) that can interwork with the EUTRA network 100.

Fig. 3 is a flow chart of steps performed by an access network according to some embodiments. For example, the procedure of fig. 3 may be performed by the eHRPD access network 106 in fig. 1. The access network sends (at 302) a control message containing an eHRPD capable indicator, such as indicating that the access network is capable of supporting eHRPD. Alternatively, the control information may include a plurality of indicators that are eHRPD capable to designate respective access networks as eHRPD capable. In response to a procedure initiated by the mobile station, the access network cooperates with the mobile station to establish (at 304) an eHRPD personality for the mobile station.

Fig. 4 is a block diagram of a wireless station 400, which may be a mobile station (e.g., mobile station 108, 118, or 122 in fig. 1) or a base station (e.g., an eNodeB, HRPD base station, or eHRPD base station in fig. 1). The wireless station 400 includes a processor (or processors) 402 coupled to a storage medium 404. Machine-readable instructions 406 are executed on processor 402 (or multiple processors) to perform various tasks associated with wireless station 400, such as the tasks described in fig. 2 or fig. 3. The wireless station 400 also includes an interface 408 for communicating over a wireless link, such as a wireless Radio Frequency (RF) link.

The machine-readable instructions 406 are loaded to execute the machine-readable instructions 406 on the processor 402. The processor may include a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a processor module or subsystem, a programmable integrated circuit, a programmable gate array, or another control or computing device.

Data and instructions are stored in various storage devices that execute as one or more computer-readable or machine-readable storage media. The storage media include various forms of memory including semiconductor memory devices such as dynamic or static random access memory (DRAM or SRAM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and flash memory; magnetic disks such as hard disks, floppy disks, and removable disks; other magnetic media including magnetic tape; optical media such as Compact Discs (CDs) or Digital Video Discs (DVDs); or other types of storage devices. It should be noted that the above-described instructions may be provided on a computer-readable or machine-readable storage medium, or may be provided on multiple computer-readable or machine-readable storage media distributed in a large system, which may have multiple nodes. Such computer-readable or machine-readable storage media or media are considered to be part of an article (or article of manufacture). The article or article of manufacture refers to any manufactured component or components.

In the preceding description, numerous details are set forth in order to provide an understanding of the subject matter disclosed herein. However, some embodiments may be practiced without some or all of these details. Other embodiments may include modifications and variations from the details described above. It is intended that the appended claims encompass such modifications and variations.

Claims (32)

1. A method of operation of a mobile station, comprising:

receiving, by the mobile station, control information including an indicator indicating the presence of a first access network capable of interworking with a second access network, wherein the first access network operates according to a first protocol and the second access network operates according to a second, different protocol; and

in response to receiving the indicator, the mobile station executes a procedure to establish a personality for the mobile station, the personality specifying a configuration to allow the mobile station to use the characteristics of the first access network that are interoperable with the second access network.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

a mobile station transitions from a third access network to the first access network, wherein the third access network operates according to a third protocol that does not support interworking with the second access network, and wherein receiving the indicator is after the transitioning.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the control information further comprises an additional indicator indicating the presence of other first access networks capable of interworking with the second access network.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the control information comprises receiving a broadcast overhead message.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the broadcast overhead message is one of fast configuration information and sector parameter information.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first access network is an evolved high rate packet data (eHRPD) access network.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the second access network is an evolved universal terrestrial radio access, EUTRA, access network.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the personality defines a protocol type and associated attribute values to be used for communication between the mobile station and the first access network.

9. A method of operation of a base station, comprising:

transmitting control information to a mobile station over a first access network, the control information including an indicator indicating the presence of a particular access network capable of interworking with a second access network, wherein the particular access network operates according to a first protocol and the second access network operates according to a second, different protocol,

wherein the indicator allows a mobile station to establish a personality that allows the mobile station to use characteristics of the particular access network that are capable of interworking with the second access network.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the particular access network is a first access network.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the first access network cooperating with the mobile station to establish the personality.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the particular access network is different from the first access network.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of transmitting the control information comprises the step of broadcasting an overhead message.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the first protocol is an evolved high rate packet data (eHRPD) protocol.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the second protocol is an evolved universal terrestrial radio access, EUTRA, protocol.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein the personality defines a protocol type and associated attribute values to be used for communication between the mobile station and the particular access network.

17. A mobile station, comprising:

means for receiving, by the mobile station, control information including an indicator indicating the presence of a first access network capable of interworking with a second access network, wherein the first access network operates according to a first protocol and the second access network operates according to a second, different protocol; and

means for executing a program by a mobile station to establish a personality for the mobile station in response to receiving the indicator, the personality specifying a configuration to allow the mobile station to use a characteristic of the first access network that is interoperable with the second access network.

18. The mobile station of claim 17, further comprising:

means for transitioning, by a mobile station, from a third access network to a first access network, wherein the third access network operates according to a third protocol that does not support interworking with a second access network, and wherein the indicator is received after the transitioning.

19. The mobile station of claim 17, wherein the control information further comprises an additional indicator indicating the presence of other first access networks capable of interworking with the second access network.

20. The mobile station of claim 17, wherein means for receiving the control information comprises means for receiving a broadcast overhead message.

21. The mobile station of claim 20, wherein the broadcast overhead message is one of fast configuration information and sector parameter information.

22. The mobile station of claim 17, wherein the first access network is an evolved high rate packet data (eHRPD) access network.

23. The mobile station of claim 22, wherein the second access network is an evolved universal terrestrial radio access, EUTRA, access network.

24. The mobile station of claim 17, wherein the personality defines a protocol type and associated attribute values to be used for communication between the mobile station and the first access network.

25. A base station, comprising:

means for sending control information to a mobile station over a first access network, the control information including an indicator indicating the presence of a particular access network capable of interworking with a second access network, wherein the particular access network operates according to a first protocol and the second access network operates according to a second, different protocol,

wherein the indicator allows a mobile station to establish a personality that allows the mobile station to use characteristics of the particular access network that are capable of interworking with the second access network.

26. The base station of claim 25, wherein the particular access network is a first access network.

27. The base station of claim 26, further comprising means for the first access network to cooperate with the mobile station to establish the personality.

28. The base station of claim 25, wherein the particular access network is different from the first access network.

29. The base station of claim 25, wherein means for transmitting the control information comprises means for broadcasting an overhead message.

30. The base station of claim 25, wherein the first protocol is an evolved high rate packet data (eHRPD) protocol.

31. The base station of claim 25, wherein the second protocol is an evolved universal terrestrial radio access, EUTRA, protocol.

32. The base station of claim 25, wherein the personality defines a protocol type and associated attribute values to be used for communication between the mobile station and the particular access network.