HK1172772B - Receiving information relating to radio access technology capabilities of a mobile station - Google Patents

Description

Receiving information about radio access technology capabilities of a mobile station

Background

Various wireless access technologies have been proposed or implemented to enable mobile stations to communicate with other mobile stations or with wired terminals coupled to a wired network. Embodiments of the radio access technology include GSM (global system for mobile communications) and UMTS (universal mobile telecommunications system) technologies as defined by the third generation partnership project (3 GPP); and CDMA2000 (code division multiple access 2000) technology defined by 3GPP 2. CDMA2000 defines a packet-switched radio access network, referred to as an HRPD (high rate packet data) radio access network.

Another newer standard that specifies packet switched radio access networks is the Long Term Evolution (LTE) standard established by 3GPP, which aims at improving 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 that wireless network operators are turning to provide better services. Another alternative 4G wireless technology is WiMAX (worldwide interoperability for microwave access), defined by IEEE 802.16. Other wireless technologies also exist.

Disclosure of Invention

Generally, according to some embodiments, a base station sends a request for information about the radio access technology capabilities of a mobile station. The base station receives a message containing information relating to radio access technology capabilities of the mobile station, wherein the message is responsive to the request and the information contained in the message indicates that the mobile station supports at least two different types of radio access technologies that can be used by the mobile station to communicate via the wireless link between the base station and the mobile station. The base station can control which of the at least two different types of radio access technologies the mobile station will use, and/or the connection type of a particular radio access technology (e.g., voice over IP, data only, voice only, etc.).

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

Drawings

Some embodiments of the invention are described in conjunction with the following figures:

fig. 1 shows an exemplary arrangement of a mobile communications network incorporating some embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a message flow diagram of a process performed in accordance with some embodiments; and

fig. 3 is a block diagram of a wireless station according to some embodiments.

Detailed Description

Wireless network operators are migrating to fourth generation (4G) wireless networks. One type of 4G wireless network is the 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. Another alternative 4G wireless technology is WiMAX (worldwide interoperability for microwave access) defined by IEEE 802.16.

As part of the diversion, wireless network operators may deploy access networks of different technologies so that the multi-mode mobile station can operate seamlessly (seamlessly) through one or both of the access networks of different technologies. For example, a multi-mode mobile station may be handed off from an access network of a first radio access technology to an access network of a second, different radio access technology. Alternatively, the mobile station may perform cell selection when initially starting from an access network of a different radio access technology. In some examples, a wireless network operator may operate both an HRPD (high rate packet data) access network and an EUTRA access network. HRPD is defined by CDMA (code division multiple access) 2000 standard, established by 3GPP 2.

HRPD is an example of a third generation (3G) wireless technology. Another example of 3G wireless technology is Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) technology defined by 3 GPP. Yet another example of 3G wireless technology is EDGE (enhanced data rates for GSM evolution) technology, defined by 3 GPP.

Examples of other wireless technologies include: global System for Mobile (GSM) as defined by 3 GPP; worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) as defined by IEEE 802.16; and Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs) as defined by IEEE 802.11.

In other examples, other wireless protocols may be used. In the discussion that follows, implementations using HRPD and EUTRA technologies are mentioned. It is noted that in other implementations, other combinations of techniques may be employed.

According to some embodiments, techniques or mechanisms are provided to allow a wireless network, such as a base station in a wireless network, to query a multi-mode mobile station for the radio access technology capabilities of the multi-mode mobile station. The radio access technologies that may be supported by the multi-mode mobile station can include any of the radio access technologies described above, such as EUTRA, HRPD, UMTS, WiMAX, WLAN, GSM, and so forth. In response to the query, the multi-mode mobile station sends a message to the base station containing information about the radio access technology capabilities of the multi-mode mobile station. The information contained in the message can indicate different types of radio access technologies that may be used by the mobile station to communicate over the wireless link between the wireless network and the mobile station. After receiving information about the different types of radio access technologies supported by the multi-mode mobile station, the base station is able to control which one or more of the at least two different types of radio access technologies the mobile station will use. For example, the base station can enable the mobile station to use a first one of the plurality of different types of radio access technologies and can enable the mobile station to not use a second one of the plurality of different types of radio access technologies. Alternatively, the base station may enable the mobile station to use all of the plurality of different types of radio access technologies. In addition, the base station can assign different handset functions (e.g., assigning only voice functions to one type, data functions with voice over IP to another type, and data functions to still another type) to different radio access technologies.

By employing techniques or mechanisms according to some implementations, the base station is able to acquire multi-mode support information for the mobile station, such as through provisioning mechanisms (provisioning mechanisms). One example of a provisioning mechanism is according to the over-the-air technology provisioning specification (OTASP) defined by the CDMA standard. In other implementations, the base station can acquire multi-mode support information for the multi-mode mobile station using other query mechanisms. Once the base station obtains information about the multi-mode capabilities of the mobile station, the base station can control the access capabilities of the mobile station, e.g., through a provisioning mechanism or other mechanism.

Fig. 1 shows an exemplary arrangement comprising different mobile communication networks, including an EUTRA network 100 and an HRPD network 101. The EUTRA mobile communication network 100 includes an EUTRA access network 102, and the HRPD network 101 includes 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 is noted that there will typically be multiple EUTRA access networks, multiple HRPD access networks, and multiple eHRPD (evolved HRPD) access networks. The eHRPD wireless access network is capable of interworking with an EUTRA wireless access network. 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 obtain services provided on a target network, such as packet data network 116. Further, although only EUTRA and HRPD networks are described, other implementations can include other or additional types of wireless networks, such as WiMAX, WLAN, and so forth.

In accordance with EUTRA technology, the EUTRA access network 102 includes an enhanced 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 can perform one or more of the following tasks: radio resource management, mobility management for managing mobility of a mobile station, traffic path selection (routing of traffic), and the like. In general, the term "base station" may refer to a cellular network base station or access point, or any type of wireless transmitter/receiver in communication with a mobile station, for use in any type of wireless network. The term "base station" can also include an associated controller, such as a base station controller or a radio network controller. The term "base station" is also intended to refer to a femto base station or access point, a micro base station or access point, or a pico base station or access point. A "mobile station" may refer to a telephone handset, a laptop, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), or an embedded device such as a status monitor, attack alarm, or the like.

As shown in fig. 1, in the EUTRA mobile communication network 100, the mobile station 108 is currently 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 unit (MME) 112. The MME 112 is a control node of the EUTRA access network 102. For example, the MME 112 is responsible for the tracking and paging procedures for idle state mobile stations. The MME 112 is also responsible for selecting the serving gateway for the mobile station at the initial attach and handover time. The MME 112 is also responsible for authentication of the mobile station user.

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

In the HRPD mobile communication network 101, a mobile station 118 is currently wirelessly connected with the HRPD access network 104. HRPD access network 104 then connects to Packet Data Serving Node (PDSN)120, and packet data serving node 120 then connects to packet data network 116.

In addition, to allow interworking between HRPD network 101 and EUTRA network 100, an eHRPD access network 106 is provided that wirelessly interfaces with mobile station 122. Note that each of the mobile stations 108, 118, and 112 may be a multi-mode mobile station. The eHRPD access network 106 is then connected to an HRPD Serving Gateway (HSGW) 124. The HSGW124 is a unit that terminates the eHRPD access network interface from the eHRPD access network 106. The HSGW124 routes packet data traffic originating at or terminating at the mobile station. The HSGW124 provides interworking of the EUTRA network 100 with mobile stations. Interworking functions include support for mobility, policy control and charging, access authentication, roaming, or other functions. The HSGW124 supports seamless (seamless) inter-technology migration (mobility) between the EUTRA network 100 and the eHRPD access network 106.

EUTRA, HRPD, and eHRPD (and other) standards are mentioned for reference to current standards and standards developed over time. It is contemplated that future standards evolved from EUTRA, HRPD, or eHRPD (or other standards) may have different names. It is contemplated that references to "EUTRA," "HRPD," "eHRPD" (or another standard) are intended to cover substantially those evolved standards. Also, as mentioned above, the techniques and mechanisms are applicable to systems employing other types of wireless protocols.

Fig. 2 is a message flow diagram of a process according to some embodiments. The base station can send (at 202) a request to query the radio access technology capabilities of the multi-mode mobile station. Sending the request at 202 may be part of a provisioning procedure performed for the mobile station in order to provide various parameters of the mobile station and perform other tasks. In other implementations, the transmit request operation at 202 can occur during other operations of the base station.

In response to the request, the mobile station sends (at 204) a message containing the radio access technology capabilities of the mobile station. The message can identify all mobile station supported access technologies, for example selected from EUTRA, HRPD, GSM, WiMAX, WLAN, UMTS, EDGE, and the like. The message carrying the radio access technology capabilities of the mobile station may be an existing message or a new message. The information about the radio access technology capabilities of the mobile station may be in a record included in the message.

Upon receiving the message containing the mobile station's radio access technology capabilities, the base station can send (at 206) a control message to the mobile station, wherein the control message can selectively enable or disable a selected radio access technology among the different types of radio access technologies supported by the mobile station. For example, the control message may be part of another message that is typically exchanged between the base station and the mobile station. Alternatively, the control message sent at 206 may be a new message. In some implementations, the control message can include a bitmap having a plurality of bits, wherein the bits of the bitmap can be selectively set to an enabled state or a disabled state to selectively enable or disable, respectively, a corresponding one of the radio access technologies supported by the mobile station (as reported in the message transmitted at 204). Alternatively, the control message can include a record listing various wireless crediting technologies and associated fields (fields) that can be set to an enabled state or a disabled state to enable or disable, respectively, corresponding ones of the different wireless access technologies that can be used by the wireless station to communicate over the wireless link.

In this manner, the wireless carrier can control the access capabilities of the mobile station using the control message sent at 206.

Fig. 2 further illustrates another message (system priority list) that can be sent from the base station to the mobile station (at 208) in some implementations. The system priority list is a list of different types of radio access technologies for assisting the multi-mode mobile station in selecting one of the plurality of different types of radio access technologies to access the system. Conventionally, all radio access technologies indicated in the system priority list, such as the system priority list defined by the CDMA standard, must be listed as supporting both voice and data. However, according to some embodiments, the system priority list allows different capabilities to be associated with each of the different radio access technologies listed in the system priority list. For example, one capability is to allow only voice, where the corresponding radio access technology will be used only for transmitting voice. Another capability is to disallow voice over IP (VoIP) data, which means that the corresponding radio access technology will not be used for VoIP data. Yet another capability is to allow data with VoIP, which means that the corresponding radio access technology can be used to support data with VoIP.

By being able to specify (by specification) different capabilities of different types of radio access technologies, greater flexibility is provided to allow the wireless network to control the use of different radio access technologies by mobile stations.

Fig. 3 shows a block diagram of a wireless station 300, which wireless station 300 may be a mobile station (e.g., mobile station 108, 118, or 122 in fig. 1) or a base station (e.g., eNodeB, HRPD base station, or eHRPD base station in fig. 1). The wireless station 300 includes a processor (or multiple processors) 302 that is coupled to a storage medium 304. Machine-readable instructions 306 may be executed on processor 302 to perform various tasks associated with wireless station 300, such as those illustrated in fig. 2 or 3. The wireless station 300 also includes an interface 308 for communicating via a wireless link, such as a wireless Radio Frequency (RF) link.

Machine readable instructions 306 are loaded for execution on processor 302. A processor may include a microprocessor, microcontroller, processor module or subsystem, programmable integrated circuit, programmable gate array, or other controller or computing device.

The data and instructions are stored in respective storage devices, which represent one or more computer-readable or machine-readable storage media. Storage media include different forms of memory, including (1) semiconductor memory devices such as dynamic or static random access memories (DRAMs or SRAMs), erasable programmable read-only memories (EEPROMs), electrically erasable programmable read-only memories (EEPROMs), and flash memories; (2) magnetic disks such as hard disks, floppy disks, and removable disks; (3) other magnetic media, including magnetic tape; (4) optical media such as Compact Discs (CDs) or Digital Video Discs (DVDs); or (5) other types of storage devices. It should be noted that the above-described instructions can be provided by one computer-readable or machine-readable storage medium, or alternatively, can be provided by a plurality of computer-readable or machine-readable storage media distributed in a large system having multiple nodes. Such computer-readable or machine-readable storage media are considered to be part of an article of manufacture (or article of manufacture). An article or manufacture may refer to any manufactured single or multiple parts.

In the description above, numerous details are set forth to provide an understanding of the present invention. However, it is possible to practice the invention without some or all of these specific details. Other implementations may include variations and modifications in accordance with the above-described details. It is intended that the appended claims cover such modifications and variations.

Claims (16)

1. A method for determining capabilities of a mobile station, the method comprising:

the base station transmitting a request for information on radio access technology capabilities of the mobile station;

the base station receiving a first message containing information regarding radio access technology capabilities of the mobile station, wherein the first message is responsive to the request and the information contained in the first message indicates that the mobile station supports at least two different types of radio access technologies that may be used by the mobile station to communicate via a wireless link between the base station and the mobile station; and

the base station controlling which of the at least two different types of radio access technologies a mobile station is to use, wherein the controlling comprises: the base station sends a second message to the mobile station containing a record listing the at least two different types of radio access technologies and associated domains that are selectively settable to an enabled state or a disabled state to enable or disable, respectively, a respective one of the at least two different types of radio access technologies.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least two different types of radio access technologies are selected from the group consisting of Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (EUTRA) technology, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) technology, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) technology, global system for mobile communications (GSM) technology, Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) technology, Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) technology, enhanced data rates for GSM evolution (EDGE) technology, and High Rate Packet Data (HRPD) technology.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising the base station sending a list to the mobile station, wherein the list identifies a plurality of types of radio access technologies and respective assigned capabilities for the plurality of types of radio access technologies, wherein the assigned capabilities are selected from voice only, voice over IP not, and voice over IP enabled.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein sending the request is part of a provisioning procedure to be performed for the mobile station.

5. A method for determining capabilities of a mobile station, the method comprising:

a multi-mode mobile station receiving a request from a base station, the request requiring information about radio access technology capabilities of the mobile station;

sending a message from a mobile station to the base station in response to the request, the message containing information about radio access technology capabilities of the mobile station, wherein the information contained in the message indicates that the mobile station supports at least two different types of radio access technologies that can be used by the mobile station to communicate via a wireless link between the base station and the mobile station; and

the mobile station receives a control message from the base station that controls which of the at least two different types of radio access technologies the mobile station will use, wherein the received control message contains a record that lists the at least two different types of radio access technologies and associated domains that can be selectively set to an enabled state or a disabled state to enable or disable, respectively, the respective one of the at least two different types of radio access technologies.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the received control message specifies that all of the at least two different types of radio access technologies are enabled for use by the mobile station.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the received control message specifies that at least one of the at least two different types of radio access technologies is prohibited from being used by the mobile station.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the at least two different types of radio access technologies are selected from the group consisting of Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (EUTRA) technology, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) technology, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) technology, global system for mobile communications (GSM) technology, Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) technology, Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) technology, enhanced data rates for GSM evolution (EDGE) technology, and High Rate Packet Data (HRPD) technology.

9. The method of claim 5 further comprising the mobile station receiving a list from the base station, wherein the list identifies a plurality of types of radio access technologies and respective assigned capabilities for the plurality of types of radio access technologies, wherein the assigned capabilities are selected from voice only, voice over IP not, and voice over IP enabled.

10. A base station, comprising:

an interface for wireless communication with a mobile station; and

at least one processor configured to:

sending a request to a mobile station, the request requiring information about radio access technology capabilities of the mobile station;

receiving a first message from the mobile station, the first message including information regarding radio access technology capabilities of the mobile station, wherein the first message is responsive to the request and the information included in the first message indicates that the mobile station supports a plurality of different types of radio access technologies usable by the mobile station to communicate via a wireless link between the base station and the mobile station; and

controlling which of the plurality of different types of radio access technologies the mobile station is to use, wherein to control which of the plurality of different types of radio access technologies the mobile station is to use, the at least one processor is further configured to: sending a second message to the mobile station containing a record listing the plurality of different types of radio access technologies and associated domains, the associated domains being selectively settable to an enabled state or a disabled state to enable or disable, respectively, a respective one of the plurality of different types of radio access technologies.

11. The base station of claim 10, wherein the plurality of different types of radio access technologies are selected from the group consisting of Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (EUTRA) technology, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) technology, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) technology, global system for mobile communications (GSM) technology, Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) technology, Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) technology, enhanced data rates for GSM evolution (EDGE) technology, and High Rate Packet Data (HRPD) technology.

12. The base station of claim 10, wherein the at least one processor is configured to further send a list to the mobile station, wherein the list identifies a plurality of types of radio access technologies and respective assigned capabilities of the plurality of types of radio access technologies, wherein the assigned capabilities are selected from voice only allowed, voice over IP not allowed, and voice over IP allowed.

13. A mobile station, comprising:

an interface for wireless communication with a base station; and

at least one processor configured to:

receiving a request from the base station over the interface, the request requiring information about radio access technology capabilities of a mobile station;

sending a response message to the base station in response to the request, the response message containing information regarding radio access technology capabilities of the mobile station, wherein the information contained in the response message indicates that the mobile station supports a plurality of different types of radio access technologies that may be used by the mobile station to communicate via a wireless link between the base station and the mobile station; and

receiving control information from the base station that controls which of the plurality of different types of radio access technologies a mobile station will use, wherein the control message contains a record that lists the plurality of different types of radio access technologies and associated domains that can be selectively set to an enabled state or a disabled state to enable or disable, respectively, the respective one of the plurality of different types of radio access technologies.

14. The mobile station of claim 13, wherein the plurality of different types of radio access technologies are selected from the group consisting of Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (EUTRA) technology, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) technology, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) technology, global system for mobile communications (GSM) technology, Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) technology, Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) technology, enhanced data rates for GSM evolution (EDGE) technology, and High Rate Packet Data (HRPD) technology.

15. The mobile station of claim 14, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

receiving a list from a base station, wherein the list identifies a plurality of types of radio access technologies and respective assigned capabilities for the plurality of types of radio access technologies, wherein the assigned capabilities are selected from voice only allowed, voice over IP not allowed, and voice over IP allowed.

16. The mobile station of claim 14, wherein the received control message specifies that the selected one or more of the plurality of different types of radio access technologies may be enabled for use by the mobile station and that another one or more of the plurality of different types of radio access technologies may be disabled for use by the mobile station.