HK1188528A - Method and device for use in wireless communications - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a method and a device for use in wireless communications, the method comprising: receiving an attach request message from a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) that includes an identifier of the WTRU and an attach type; transmitting an attach accept message that includes Quality of Service (QoS) information, Access Point Name (APN) information, and an Internet Protocol (IP) address for the WTRU; and receiving an attach complete message.

Description

Method and equipment used in wireless communication

The present application is a divisional application of chinese patent application entitled "wireless communication system and method for performing an evolved system attachment procedure" with an application date of 13/7/2006 and an application number of 200680025530.5.

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to an evolved wireless communication system (e.g., evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN)). More particularly, the present invention relates to a wireless communication system and method for performing an evolved system attach procedure.

Background

The evolution of third generation (3G) systems provides higher data rates, lower latency, and support for multiple Radio Access Technologies (RATs). The main features of the evolved third generation (3G) system include an enhanced air interface for more efficient higher data rate processing, and optimization of conventional processing to reduce the number of signaling procedures and set delays, and optimization of network design to allow interconnection and interoperation within any air interface, such as global system for mobile communications (GSM), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), CDMA2000, ieee802.xx, etc.

Fig. 1 shows a conventional general packet radio service (GPRS access interface and reference points. a Mobile Station (MS) 102, including a Terminal Equipment (TE) 104 and a Mobile Terminal (MT) 106, is attached to a plurality of general packet radio services (GPRS packet domain networks 108a, 108b, and further connected to a packet data network 110. the general packet radio services (GPRS packet domain networks 108a, 108b perform network access control functions, packet routing and transfer functions, mobility management functions, logical link management functions, radio resource management functions, network management functions, or other similar functions.

The network access control functions include registration, authentication and authorization, admission control, message screening, packet format adjustment, charging data collection, operator determined barring, or similar functions. The packet routing and transfer functions include relaying, routing, address translation and mapping, encapsulation, tunneling, compression, encryption, domain name server, or other similar functions. The logical link management functions include session establishment, maintenance and release.

Fig. 2A and 2B illustrate conventional state machines for Mobility Management (MM) of a Mobile Station (MS) and a serving General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) support node (SGSN) in Iu mode. The Mobile Station (MS) and the serving general packet radio service support node (SGSN) may be one of a Packet Mobility Management (PMM) detached state, a Packet Mobility Management (PMM) connected state, and a Packet Mobility Management (PMM) idle state. In the Packet Mobility Management (PMM) detached state, there is no communication between the Mobile Station (MS) and the serving general packet radio service support node (SGSN). In order to establish a Mobility Management (MM) context in the Mobile Station (MS) and a serving general packet radio service support node (SGSN), the Mobile Station (MS) performs a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) attach procedure. Upon a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) attachment, its state changes to a Packet Mobility Management (PMM) connected state and a packet handover (PS) signalling connection is established between the Mobile Station (MS) and the serving general packet radio service support node (SGSN). Packet handover (PS) signaling connection release changes its state to a Packet Mobility Management (PMM) idle state. A General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) detach, a packet handover (PS) attach reject, or a Routing Area Update (RAU) reject will cause its state to change to a Packet Mobility Management (PMM) detached state. In the Packet Mobility Management (PMM) idle state and the Packet Mobility Management (PMM) connected state, the Session Management (SM) state may be active or inactive.

Fig. 3A, 3B and 3C, taken together, are a signaling diagram of an attach procedure 300 in a conventional General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) system. As shown in fig. 3A, a Mobile Station (MS) 302 initiates the attach procedure 300 by transmitting an attach request message to a new serving general packet radio service support node (SGSN) 306 (step 322). The attach request message contains an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) (or alternatively a packet temporary mobile subscriber identity (P-TMSI) and an old Routing Area Identity (RAI)), an attach type, or the like.

If the Mobile Station (MS) 302 recognizes itself as a packet temporary Mobile subscriber identity (P-TMSI), the new serving general packet radio service support node (SGSN) 306 derives an old serving general packet radio service support node (SGSN) address from the Routing Area Identity (RAI) to request International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) information for the Mobile Station (MS) 302 (step 324). The new serving general packet radio service support node (SGSN) 306 transmits an identification request message to the old serving general packet radio service support node (SGSN) 308 (step 326). The identity request message contains a packet temporary mobile subscriber identity (P-TMSI), an old Routing Area Identity (RAI), an old packet temporary mobile subscriber identity (P-TMSI) signature, or the like. The old serving general packet radio service support node (SGSN) 308 checks the record for the packet temporary mobile subscriber identity (P-TMSI) and sends an identity response message with the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) of the Mobile Station (MS) 302 to the new serving general packet radio service support node (SGSN) 306 (steps 328 and 330). If the Mobile Station (MS) 302 is not known in the old serving general packet radio service support node (SGSN) 308, the old serving general packet radio service support node (SGSN) 308 responds with an identity response message containing the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), authentication three bytes (triplet), or authentication five bytes (quinte). If the Mobile Station (MS) 302 is not known at the old serving general packet radio service support node (SGSN) 308 or the old packet temporary mobile subscriber identity (P-TMSI) does not match the value stored in the old serving general packet radio service support node (SGSN) 308, the old serving general packet radio service support node (SGSN) 308 causes an appropriate error in the identity response message to respond at step 330.

If the Mobile Station (MS) 302 is not known in the old serving general packet radio service support node (SGSN) 308, the new serving general packet radio service support node (SGSN) 306 transmits an Identification (ID) request (identification (ID) type is International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI)) to the Mobile Station (MS) 302 (step 334). The Mobile Station (MS) 302 responds with an Identification (ID) response that contains the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) of the Mobile Station (MS) 302 (step 336).

If there is no Mobility Management (MM) context for the Mobile Station (MS) at any location in the network, an authentication procedure is performed by the Mobile Station (MS) 302, the new serving general packet radio service support node (SGSN) 306, and a Home Location Register (HLR) 314 (step 338).

Referring to fig. 3B, an International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) checking procedure may be selectively performed by the Mobile Station (MS) 302, the new serving general packet radio service support node (SGSN) 306, and an Equipment Identity Register (EIR) 310, according to operator configuration. If the serving general packet radio service support node (SGSN) number has changed since the last General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) detach, or if it is just the first time to attach, the new serving general packet radio service support node (SGSN) 306 updates the Home Location Register (HLR) 314 by sending an update location message to the Home Location Register (HLR) 314 (step 342). The update location message contains a serving general packet radio service support node (SGSN) number, a serving general packet radio service support node (SGSN) address, the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) or similar data.

The Home Location Register (HLR) 316 compares the serving general packet radio service support node (SGSN) number with the recorded values and sends a cancel location message (including International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), cancel type) to the old serving general packet radio service support node (SGSN) 308 (steps 344, 346). The old serving general packet radio service support node (SGSN) 308 acknowledges with a cancel location acknowledgement (step 348). The Home Location Register (HLR) 314 transmits an insert subscriber data message to the new serving general packet radio service support node (SGSN) 306, the insert subscriber data message including an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) and General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) subscription data (step 350).

The new serving general packet radio service support node (SGSN) 306 checks whether the Mobile Station (MS) 302 is not allowed to exist in the new Routing Area (RA) (step 352). If the Mobile Station (MS) 302 is not allowed to attach within the Routing Area (RA) due to regional subscription restrictions or access restrictions, the new serving general packet radio service support node (SGSN) 306 rejects the attach request for an appropriate reason and may return an insert subscriber data acknowledgement (including the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), a serving general packet radio service support node (SGSN) area restriction message) to the Home Location Register (HLR) 314 (step 354). If the subscription check fails for other reasons, the new serving general packet radio service support node (SGSN) 306 also rejects the attach request for an appropriate reason and returns an insert subscriber data acknowledgement (including the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) and reason) to the Home Location Register (HLR) 314. If all checks are successful, the new serving general packet radio service support node (SGSN) 306 builds a Mobility Management (MM) context for the Mobile Station (MS) 302 and returns an insert subscriber data acknowledgement (including the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI)) to the Home Location Register (HLR) 314 (steps 356, 358). The Home Location Register (HLR) 314 updates the Mobility Management (MM) context and transmits an update location confirmation to the new serving general packet radio service support node (SGSN) 306 (steps 360, 362).

Referring to fig. 3C, if the type of attachment indicated in the attach request indicates a combined General Packet Radio Service (GPRS)/International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) attachment, a Visitor Location Register (VLR) 312 should be updated. The new serving general packet radio service support node (SGSN) 306 sends a location update request to a new Visitor Location Register (VLR) 312 (step 364). The location update request contains a new Location Area Identity (LAI), the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), a serving general packet radio service support node (SGSN) number, a location update type, or similar information.

The new Visitor Location Register (VLR) 312 establishes an association with the new serving general packet radio service support node (SGSN) 306 by storing the serving general packet radio service support node (SGSN) number. If the Location Area (LA) update occurs between Mobile Switching Centers (MSCs), the new Visitor Location Register (VLR) 312 transmits an update location message (including the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) and the new Visitor Location Register (VLR)) to the Home Location Register (HLR) 314 (step 366). The Home Location Register (HLR) 314 transmits a cancel location message to the old Visitor Location Register (VLR) 316 (step 368). The old Visitor Location Register (VLR) 316 acknowledges with a cancel location acknowledgement (step 370).

The Home Location Register (HLR) 314 transmits an insert subscriber data message (containing the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) and subscriber data) to the new Visitor Location Register (VLR) 312 (step 372). The new Visitor Location Register (VLR) 312 acknowledges with an insert subscriber data acknowledgement (step 374). After completing the inter-Mobile Switching Center (MSC) location update procedure, the Home Location Register (HLR) 314 responds to the new Visitor Location Register (VLR) 312 with an update location confirmation (step 376). The new Visitor Location Register (VLR) 312 responds to the new serving general packet radio service support node (SGSN) 306 with a location update accept message (containing a Visitor Location Register (VLR) Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity (TMSI)) (step 378).

The new serving general packet radio service support node (SGSN) 306 sends an attach accept message to the Mobile Station (MS) 302 (step 380). The attach accept message contains a packet temporary mobile subscriber identity (P-TMSI), Visitor Location Register (VLR) Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity (TMSI), packet temporary mobile subscriber identity (P-TMSI) signature, and radio priority Short Message Service (SMS). The Mobile Station (MS) 302 then returns an attach complete message to the new serving general packet radio service support node (SGSN) 306, and the new serving general packet radio service support node (SGSN) 306 transmits a Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity (TMSI) reallocation complete message to the new Visitor Location Register (VLR) 312 (steps 382, 384).

Fig. 4 is a diagram of a conventional state machine for Session Management (SM). A General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) subscription includes subscriptions to one or more Packet Data Protocol (PDP) addresses. Each Packet Data Protocol (PDP) address is an element of a Packet Data Protocol (PDP) context. The Packet Data Protocol (PDP) status indicates whether data transfer for the Packet Data Protocol (PDP) address can be caused. When the Packet Data Protocol (PDP) context is activated, the Packet Data Protocol (PDP) state changes from an inactive state to an active state. The active state changes to an inactive state when a deactivation procedure is initiated, or when the Mobility Management (MM) state changes to the Packet Mobility Management (PMM) idle state or Packet Mobility Management (PMM) detached state.

In the inactive state, data services for a particular Packet Data Protocol (PDP) address of the Mobile Station (MS) are not activated, and the Packet Data Protocol (PDP) context does not contain routing or mapping information for handling Packet Data Protocol (PDP) Protocol Data Units (PDUs) associated with the Packet Data Protocol (PDP) address. In the active state, a Packet Data Protocol (PDP) context for the Packet Data Protocol (PDP) address in use is activated in the Mobile Station (MS), the serving general packet radio service support node (SGSN) and the gateway general packet radio service support node (GGSN). The Packet Data Protocol (PDP) context contains mapping and routing information for transferring Packet Data Protocol (PDP) Protocol Data Units (PDUs) for a particular Packet Data Protocol (PDP) address between the Mobile Station (MS) and the gateway general packet radio service support node (GGSN). The active state is permitted only when a Mobility Management (MM) state of the Mobile Station (MS) is a Packet Mobility Management (PMM) idle state or a Packet Mobility Management (PMM) connected state.

Fig. 5 is a flow chart of a conventional Packet Data Protocol (PDP) context activation procedure 500. The Mobile Station (MS) 302 conveys an activate Packet Data Protocol (PDP) context request message to a serving general packet radio service support node (SGSN) 306 (step 502). The activate Packet Data Protocol (PDP) context request message contains a Packet Data Protocol (PDP) type, a Packet Data Protocol (PDP) address, an Access Point Name (APN), requested quality of service (QoS), protocol configuration options, or other similar information. The serving general packet radio service support node (SGSN) 306 validates the activate Packet Data Protocol (PDP) context request, selects an Access Point Name (APN), and maps the Access Point Name (APN) to a gateway general packet radio service support node (GGSN) 310 (step 504).

The serving general packet radio service support node (SGSN) 306 transmits an establish Packet Data Protocol (PDP) context request message to the gateway general packet radio service support node (GGSN) 310 (step 506). The establish Packet Data Protocol (PDP) context request message includes a Packet Data Protocol (PDP) type, a Packet Data Protocol (PDP) address, an Access Point Name (APN), negotiated quality of service (QoS), Tunnel Endpoint Identification (TEID), charging characteristics, or other similar information. The gateway general packet radio service support node (GGSN) 310 creates a new entry in its Packet Data Protocol (PDP) context table and returns an establish Packet Data Protocol (PDP) context response to the serving general packet radio service support node (SGSN) 306 (step 508). The establish Packet Data Protocol (PDP) context response message includes a Tunnel Endpoint Identification (TEID), a Packet Data Protocol (PDP) address, protocol configuration options, negotiated quality of service (QoS), a payment Identification (ID), or other similar information.

Radio Access Bearer (RAB) setting is then performed among the Mobile Station (MS) 302, the Radio Access Network (RAN) 304 and the serving general packet radio service support node (SGSN) 306 (step 510). In Iu mode, and if Basic Service Set (BSS) tracking is activated, the serving general packet radio service support node (SGSN) 306 may send an invoke tracking message to the Radio Access Network (RAN) 304 (step 512). The serving general packet radio service support node (SGSN) 306 may learn the gateway general packet radio service support node (GGSN) 310 about the degraded quality of service (QoS) attributes by transmitting an update Packet Data Protocol (PDP) context request (step 514). The gateway general packet radio service support node (GGSN) 310 validates the new quality of service (QoS) attributes by sending an update Packet Data Protocol (PDP) context response to the serving general packet radio service support node (SGSN) 306 (step 516).

The serving general packet radio service support node (SGSN) 306 inserts the gateway general packet radio service support node (GGSN) address in its Packet Data Protocol (PDP) context (step 518). If the Mobile Station (MS) 302 has requested a dynamic address, the Packet Data Protocol (PDP) address received from the gateway general packet radio service support node (GGSN) 310 is inserted into the Packet Data Protocol (PDP) context. The serving general packet radio service support node (SGSN) 306 selects a radio priority and a packet flow Identification (ID) based on the negotiated quality of service (QoS) and returns an activate Packet Data Protocol (PDP) context accept message to the Mobile Station (MS) 302 (step 520). The activate Packet Data Protocol (PDP) context accept message contains a Packet Data Protocol (PDP) type, a Packet Data Protocol (PDP) address, a Transaction Identifier (TI), a negotiated quality of service (QoS), radio priority, packet flow identification, protocol configuration options, or other similar information. If the Mobile Station (MS) 302 capability, as indicated in the Mobile Station (MS) network, cannot support Basic Service Set (BSS) packet flow procedures, then the serving general packet radio service support node (SGSN) 306 does not contain the packet flow identification.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention relates to a wireless communication system and method for performing an evolved system attach procedure. The wireless communication system includes a first core network (i.e., a conventional third generation partnership project (3 GPP) core network) and a second core network (i.e., an evolved core network) that is evolved from the first core network. An evolved wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) operating in the evolved system, upon activation, transmits a modified attach request message to the evolved core network. Once received, the evolved core network performs the same procedures (e.g., authentication, authorization, mobility management, or other similar functions) as indicated in the third generation partnership project (3 GPP) TS23.060PS attach procedures. The evolved core network then performs the activate Packet Data Protocol (PDP) context action (allocation and configuration of a default Internet Protocol (IP) address for the wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU)). Upon successful completion of an Internet Protocol (IP) configuration procedure (packet data protocol (PDP) context activation), the evolved core network transmits the new attach accept message to the wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU). The new attach accept message contains information about the Packet Data Protocol (PDP) context (e.g., Internet Protocol (IP) address, Internet Protocol (IP) version (in other words, version 4 or version 6), Access Point Name (APN) information, quality of service (QoS), or other similar information). The evolved core network also constructs a Session Management (SM) and mobility management (SMM) context for Session Management (SM) and Mobility Management (MM) for the wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU). According to the invention, the Session Management (SM) and Mobility Management (MM) states are different from the legacy third generation partnership project (3 GPP) based Mobility Management (MM) and Session Management (SM) states (in the first core network). Session Management (SM) and Mobility Management (MM) in accordance with the present invention employ Internet Protocol (IP) address assignment for the overall operation of the wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU). The Internet Protocol (IP) address is assigned if the wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) is in a connected state. If no Internet Protocol (IP) address is assigned, the wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) is in a detached state (i.e., unreachable or offline). In accordance with the present invention, the wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) status (availability) is related to the Internet Protocol (IP) address assignment. The state transition between the Mobility Management (MM) states is changed accordingly.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a diagram of a conventional General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) access interface and reference points.

Fig. 2A and 2B illustrate a conventional state machine for Mobility Management (MM).

Fig. 3A-3C, taken together, are a flow chart of a conventional packet handover (PS) attach and registration procedure.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a conventional state machine for session management.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart of a conventional Packet Data Protocol (PDP) context activation procedure.

FIG. 6 is a diagram of an exemplary evolved system architecture including an evolved universal mobile telecommunications system terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN) and an evolved Core Network (CN) in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a diagram of the evolved system core network high level functionality according to the present invention.

Fig. 8A and 8B show state machines for Session and Mobility Management (SMM) according to the present invention.

Fig. 9A-9C, taken together, are a flow chart of an evolved system attach and registration procedure in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed Description

When referred to hereafter, the term wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) includes, but is not limited to, a User Equipment (UE), a Mobile Station (MS), a fixed or mobile subscriber unit, a pager, or any other type of device capable of operating in a wireless environment.

The features of the present invention may also be incorporated into an Integrated Circuit (IC) or be configured in a circuit comprising a plurality of interconnected components.

Fig. 6 is a diagram of an exemplary evolved system 600 including an evolved universal mobile telecommunications system terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN) and an evolved Core Network (CN) in accordance with the present invention. The evolved system 600 includes an access system layer 610, a network layer 620 and a multimedia layer 630. The access system layer 610 includes Radio Access Networks (RANs), a Core Network (CN) 616, and an evolved Core Network (CN) 617. The Radio Access Networks (RANs) include a Generic Access Network (GAN) 611, a Global System for Mobile communications (GSM)/enhanced data rates for Global System for Mobile communications (EDGE) radio access network (GERAN) 612, a Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) terrestrial radio access network (UTRAN) 613, an evolved Global System terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN) 614, and an interworking wireless local area network (I-WLAN) 615. The Radio Access Networks (RANs) 611-615 are connected to the Core Network (CN) 616 or the evolved Core Network (CN) 617 to provide services, such as multimedia services from the Internet Protocol (IP) multimedia subsystem (IMS) 631, to one or more wireless transmit/receive units (WTRUs) and interact with an authentication, authorization and account (AAA) server 621, a Mobile Internet Protocol (MIP) server 622, or other network entities in the network layer 620 via a gateway general packet radio service support node (GGSN) 618 or a Packet Data Gateway (PDG) 619.

Fig. 7 is a diagram of the evolved system core network high level functionality according to the present invention. The network access and Internet Protocol (IP) connection control functions control registration, authentication and authorization, licensing, message screening, packet format adjustment, charging data collection, operator decision barring, or other similar functions. The packet routing and transfer functions control relaying, routing, address translation and mapping, encapsulation, tunneling, compression, encryption, domain name servers, or other similar functions. The logical link management function controls the establishment, maintenance and release of sessions.

Fig. 8A and 8B illustrate state machines for Session and Mobility Management (SMM) in accordance with the present invention. The wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) and the evolved system core may be one of a Mobility Management (MM) detached and Session Management (SM) inactive state, a Mobility Management (MM) connected and Session Management (SM) active state, and a Mobility Management (MM) idle and Session Management (SM) active state. In the Mobility Management (MM) detached and Session Management (SM) inactive state, there is no communication between the wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) and the evolved system core. After an evolved system attach, the Session and Mobility Management (SMM) state is detached from the Mobility Management (MM) and changed from a Session Management (SM) inactive state to a Mobility Management (MM) connected and Session Management (SM) active state. A Packet Switched (PS) signaling connection is established between the wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) and the evolved system core in the Mobility Management (MM) connection and Session Management (SM) active states. The Packet Switched (PS) signaling connection in the Mobility Management (MM) connection and Session Management (SM) active states is released, changing the Session and Mobility Management (SMM) states to Mobility Management (MM) idle and Session Management (SM) active states. A packet handover (PS) signaling connection establishment in the Mobility Management (MM) idle and Session Management (SM) active states changes the Session and Mobility Management (SMM) states to a Mobility Management (MM) connection and Session Management (SM) active state. Evolved system detach, packet handover (PS) attach reject, or inter-Radio Access Technology (RAT) handover reject will cause the session to change from a mobility management (SMM) state to a Mobility Management (MM) detached and Session Management (SM) inactive state.

Fig. 9A-9C are flowcharts of a procedure 1000 for evolved system attach and registration in accordance with the present invention. A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) 1002 initiates the attach procedure 1000 by transmitting an attach request message to a new Core Network (CN) 1006 (i.e., evolved Core Network (CN)) (step 1022). The attach request message contains an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) (or packet temporary mobile subscriber identity (P-TMSI) and old Routing Area Identity (RAI)), an attach type, or other similar information. If the wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) 1002 recognizes itself as having the packet temporary mobile subscriber identity (P-TMSI), the new Core Network (CN) 1006 derives an old serving general packet radio service support node (SGSN) address from the Routing Area Identity (RAI) to request International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) information for the wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) 1002 (step 1024). The new Core Network (CN) 1006 sends an identity request message to the old serving general packet radio service support node (SGSN) 1008 (step 1026). The identity request message may then contain a packet temporary mobile subscriber identity (P-TMSI), an old Routing Area Identity (RAI), an old packet temporary mobile subscriber identity (P-TMSI) signature, or other similar information.

The old serving general packet radio service support node (SGSN) 1008 checks the packet temporary mobile subscriber identity (P-TMSI) against the record and sends an identity response message to the new Core Network (CN) 1006 (steps 1028, 1030). If the wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) 1002 is known in the old serving general packet radio service support node (SGSN) 1008, the old serving general packet radio service support node (SGSN) 1008 responds with an identity response message that contains the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), authentication three bytes, or authentication five bytes. If the wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) 1002 is not known in the old serving general packet radio service support node (SGSN) 1008 or the old packet temporary mobile subscriber identity (P-TMSI) does not match the value stored in the old serving general packet radio service support node (SGSN) 1008, the old serving general packet radio service support node (SGSN) 1008 responds in step 1030 by causing an appropriate error in the identity response message. If the wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) 1002 is not known in the old serving general packet radio service support node (SGSN) 1008, the new Core Network (CN) 1006 sends an identity request (identity type ═ International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI)) to the wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) 1002 (steps 1032, 1034). The wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) 1002 then responds with an identity response that includes the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) of the wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) 1002 (step 1036).

If there is no Mobility Management (MM) context for the wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) 1002 anywhere in the network, an authentication procedure is performed by the WTRU (WTRU) 1002, the new Core Network (CN) 1006 and the Home Location Register (HLR) 1014 (step 1038). An International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) check procedure may be selectively performed by the wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) 1002, the new Core Network (CN) 1006 and an Equipment Identity Register (EIR) 1010, depending on operator configuration (step 1040).

If the new Core Network (CN) number has changed because of the latest system attachment or if it is exactly the first attachment, the new Core Network (CN) 1006 updates the Home Location Register (HLR) 1014 by sending an update location message to the Home Location Register (HLR) 1014 (step 1042). The update location message includes a Core Network (CN) number, Core Network (CN) address, the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), or other similar information.

The Home Location Register (HLR) 1014 compares the Core Network (CN) number with the record and transmits a cancel location message (including International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), cancel type) to the old serving general packet radio service support node (SGSN) 1008 (step 1044, step 1046). The old serving general packet radio service support node (SGSN) 1008 acknowledges with a cancel location acknowledgement (step 1048). The Home Location Register (HLR) 1014 conveys an insert subscriber data message (including the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), subscriber data, a Packet Data Protocol (PDP) type, a Packet Data Protocol (PDP) address, an Access Point Name (APN), quality of service (QoS), allowed access to a public land mobile network (VPLMN), or other similar information) to the new Core Network (CN) 1006 (step 1050).

The new Core Network (CN) 1006 checks whether the wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) 1002 is allowed to exist in the new Routing Area (RA) (step 1052). If the wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) 1002 is not allowed to attach in the Routing Area (RA) due to the regional subscription restrictions or access restrictions, the new Core Network (CN) 1006 rejects the attach request for an appropriate reason and may return an insert subscriber data acknowledgement (including the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), Core Network (CN) area restriction message) to the Home Location Register (HLR) 1014 (step 1054). If the subscription check fails for other reasons, the new Core Network (CN) 1006 also rejects the attach request for an appropriate reason and returns an insert subscriber data acknowledgement (including the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) and reason) to the Home Location Register (HLR) 1014. If all checks are successful, the new Core Network (CN) 1006 constructs a Session and Mobility Management (SMM) context for the wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) 1002 and returns an insert subscriber data acknowledgement (including the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), a Packet Data Protocol (PDP) type, a Packet Data Protocol (PDP) address, an Access Point Name (APN), a Tunnel Endpoint Identity (TEID), or other similar information) to the Home Location Register (HLR) 1014 (steps 1056, 1058). The Home Location Register (HLR) 1014 updates the Session and Mobility Management (SMM) context and transmits an update location confirmation to the new Core Network (CN) 1006 (steps 1060, 1062).

A Visitor Location Register (VLR) should be updated if the type of attachment indicated in the attach request indicates a combined evolved universal mobile telecommunications system terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN)/International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) attachment. The new Core Network (CN) 1006 sends a location update request to a new Visitor Location Register (VLR) 1012 (step 1064). The location update request includes the new Location Area Identity (LAI), the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), a Core Network (CN) number, a location update type, or other similar information.

The new Visitor Location Register (VLR) 1012 establishes an association with the new Core Network (CN) 1006 by storing the Core Network (CN) number. If the Location Area (LA) update occurs between Mobile Switching Centers (MSCs), the new Visitor Location Register (VLR) 1012 transmits an update location message (including the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) and the new Visitor Location Register (VLR)) to the Home Location Register (HLR) 1014 (step 1066). The Home Location Register (HLR) 1014 transmits a cancel location message to the old Visitor Location Register (VLR) 1016 (step 1068). The old Visitor Location Register (VLR) 1016 acknowledges with a cancel location acknowledgement (step 1070).

The Home Location Register (HLR) 1014 sends an insert subscriber data message (containing the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) and subscriber data) to the new Visitor Location Register (VLR) 1012 (step 1072). The new Visitor Location Register (VLR) 1012 acknowledges with an insert subscriber data acknowledgement (step 1074). After completing the inter-Mobile Switching Center (MSC) location update procedure, the Home Location Register (HLR) 1014 responds to the new Visitor Location Register (VLR) 1012 with an update location confirmation (step 1076). The new Visitor Location Register (VLR) 1012 responds to the new Core Network (CN) 1006 with a location update accept message, containing the Visitor Location Register (VLR) Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity (TMSI) (step 1078).

A Radio Access Bearer (RAB) setup procedure is performed between the wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) 1002, the global system for mobile communications terrestrial radio access network (UTRAN) 1004 and the new Core Network (CN) 1006 (step 1080). In Iu mode, and if Basic Service Set (BSS) tracking is activated, the new Core Network (CN) 1006 may send an invoke tracking message to the global system for mobile communications terrestrial radio access network (UTRAN) 1004 (step 1082).

The new Core Network (CN) 1006 sends an attach accept message to the wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) 1002 (step 1084). The attach accept message contains a packet temporary mobile subscriber identity (P-TMSI), Visitor Location Register (VLR) Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity (TMSI), packet temporary mobile subscriber identity (P-TMSI) signature, a Packet Data Protocol (PDP) type, a Packet Data Protocol (PDP) address, Transaction Identifier (TI), quality of service (QoS), radio priority, packet flow identification, and Packet Data Protocol (PDP) configuration or other similar information. The wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) 1002 then returns an attach complete message to the new Core Network (CN) 1006, and the new Core Network (CN) 1006 sends a Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity (TMSI) reallocation complete message to the new Visitor Location Register (VLR) 1012 (steps 1086, 1088).

Table 1 shows Information Elements (IEs) contained in the attach accept message according to the present invention. The new Information Elements (IEs) introduced according to the present invention are shown in bold type in table 1. The attach accept message is transmitted by the Core Network (CN) to the wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) to indicate that the corresponding proximity request has been accepted.

TABLE 1

The Packet Data Protocol (PDP) address information element is included in the attach accept message if the wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) has requested activation and dynamic addressing of a Packet Data Protocol (PDP) context using the Packet Data Protocol (PDP) type Internet Protocol (IP) version 4 or 6. The protocol configuration options information element is included in the attach accept message when the Core Network (CN) wishes to transmit protocol data (e.g., configuration parameters, error codes, or messages/events) to the wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU). The packet flow identification information element is included in the attach accept message if the Core Network (CN) wants to indicate the packet flow identification associated with the Packet Data Protocol (PDP) context. If the wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) does not indicate PFC procedure support in the PFC feature mode field of the WTRU network capability information element, the Core Network (CN) should not include this information element. If the wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) does not indicate PFC support, it should ignore this information element when received.

The negotiated Logical Link Control (LLC) Service Access Point Identifier (SAPI), negotiated quality of service (QoS), radio priority, and alternate half octets are information elements used to map the service to the correct endpoint in the network with the correct settings. The Logical Link Control (LLC) Service Access Point Identifier (SAPI) identifies a service access point identifier among the wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), the evolved global system for mobile communications terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN), and the evolved Core Network (CN). This ensures that traffic for a particular service can be routed through the same node for both uplink and downlink. The negotiated quality of service (QoS) is a set of attributes for the traffic flow that specifically indicate the resources allocated, such as bit rate, delay, bit error rate, Protocol Data Unit (PDU) size, or other similar information. The radio priority information element is then used to set the class of data traffic for the Radio Access Network (RAN).

Examples

1. A method for system attachment in an evolved wireless communication system including a first core network and a second core network evolved from the first core network.

2. The method of embodiment 1, comprising the steps of: a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) sends an attach request message to the second core network.

3. The method of embodiment 2, comprising the steps of: the second core network activates a Packet Data Protocol (PDP) context.

4. The method of any of embodiments 2-3, comprising the steps of: the second core network sends an attach accept message to the wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), the attach accept message including information regarding the PDP context.

5. The method as in any embodiments 2-4, wherein the attach request message includes an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI).

6. The method as in any embodiments 2-4, wherein the attach request message includes a packet temporary mobile subscriber identity (P-TMSI) and a Routing Area Identity (RAI) associated with the first core network.

7. The method as in any one of embodiments 2-6 further comprising the second core network transmitting an identification request to the first core network to obtain an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) from the first core network.

8. The method of embodiment 7 further comprising the first core network transmitting an identification response including the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) to the second core network if the wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) is known in the first core network.

9. The method as in any embodiments 7-8, wherein the second core network derives an address of the first core network using the Routing Area Identity (RAI).

10. The method as in any one of embodiments 8-9, further comprising the first core network transmitting an identification response with an error message if the wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) is unknown in the first core network.

11. The method of embodiment 10 further comprising the second core network transmitting an Identification (ID) request to the wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) to obtain the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI).

12. The method of embodiment 11 further comprising the wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) transmitting an Identification (ID) response with the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI).

13. The method as in any one of embodiments 8-12 further comprising the first core network transmitting an identification response with an error message if the packet temporary mobile subscriber identity (P-TMSI) does not correspond to a value stored in the first core network.

14. The method of embodiment 13 further comprising the second core network transmitting an Identification (ID) request to the wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) to obtain the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI).

15. The method of embodiment 14 further comprising the wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) transmitting an Identification (ID) response with the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI).

16. The method as in any one of embodiments 2-15 further comprising the wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) performing an authentication procedure with the second core network.

17. A method as in any of embodiments 2-16 further comprising the wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) performing an International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) checking procedure with the second core network.

18. The method as in any one of embodiments 2-17, wherein the attach request indicates an attach type.

19. The method of embodiment 18 wherein the attach type indicates an attachment of only one evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN).

20. The method of embodiment 18 wherein the attachment type indicates an evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN) attachment to an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI).

21. The method as in any one of embodiments 4-20 wherein the attach accept message comprises at least one of a Packet Data Protocol (PDP) type, a Packet Data Protocol (PDP) address, a Transaction Identifier (TI), quality of service (QoS), radio priority, packet flow identifier, and Packet Data Protocol (PDP) configuration.

22. The method as in any one of embodiments 2-21 further comprising the second core network constructing a Session and Mobility Management (SMM) context for a Session Management (SM) and Mobility Management (MM) of the wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU).

23. The method of embodiment 22 wherein a state of the Session and Mobility Management (SMM) is defined as one of a Mobility Management (MM) detached Session Management (SM) inactive state, a Mobility Management (MM) connected Session Management (SM) active state, and a Mobility Management (MM) idle Session Management (SM) active state.

24. The method as in any one of embodiments 22-23 wherein a Session and Mobility Management (SMM) state of the wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) is changed based on a Packet Data Protocol (PDP) address assignment to the WTRU.

25. The method as in any one of embodiments 2-24 further comprising the second core network rejecting the attach request if the wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) is not admitted in a Routing Area (RA) associated with the second core network.

26. A wireless communication system includes a first core network, a second core network evolved from the first core network, and a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) configured to send an attach request message to the second core network.

27. The system of embodiment 26 wherein the second core network is configured to activate a Packet Data Protocol (PDP) context for the wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) and to send an attach accept message to the wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) containing information about the PDP context.

28. The system as in any one of embodiments 26-27 wherein the attach request message comprises an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI).

29. The system as in any one of embodiments 26-27 wherein the attach request message includes a packet temporary mobile subscriber identity (P-TMSI) and a Routing Area Identity (RAI) associated with the first core network.

30. The system as in any one of embodiments 26-29 wherein the second core network is configured to send an identification request to the first core network to obtain an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) from the first core network.

31. The system of embodiment 30 wherein the first core network is configured to send an identity response including the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) to the second core network if the wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) is known in the first core network.

32. The system as in any one of embodiments 29-31 wherein the second core network derives an address of the first core network using the Routing Area Identity (RAI).

33. The system of embodiment 32 wherein the first core network is configured to send an identification response with an error message if the wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) is unknown in the first core network.

34. The system as in any one of embodiments 26-29 wherein the second core network is configured to send an Identification (ID) request to the wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) to obtain the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) and the wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) is configured to send an Identification (ID) response with the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI).

35. The system as in embodiment 34 wherein the first core network is configured to transmit an identification response with an error message if the packet temporary mobile subscriber identity (P-TMSI) does not conform to the value stored in the first core network.

36. The system as in any one of embodiments 26-35 wherein the second core network is configured to send an Identification (ID) request to the wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) to obtain the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) and the wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) is configured to send an Identification (ID) response with the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI).

37. The system as in any one of embodiments 26-36 wherein the wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) and the second core network are configured to perform an authentication procedure.

38. The system as in any one of embodiments 26-37 wherein the wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) and the second core network are configured to perform an International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) check procedure using an Equipment Identity Register (EIR).

39. The system as in any one of embodiments 26-38, wherein the attach request indicates an attach type.

40. The system of embodiment 39 wherein the attachment type indicates an evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN) only attachment.

41. The system of embodiment 39 wherein the attachment type indicates an evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN) attachment to an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI).

42. The system as in any one of embodiments 27-41 wherein the attach accept message comprises at least one of a Packet Data Protocol (PDP) type, a Packet Data Protocol (PDP) address, a Transaction Identifier (TI), quality of service (QoS), a radio priority, a packet flow identification, and a Packet Data Protocol (PDP) configuration.

43. The system as in any one of embodiments 26-42 wherein the second core network is configured to establish a Session and Mobility Management (SMM) context for Session Management (SM) and Mobility Management (MM) of the wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU).

44. The system of embodiment 43 wherein a state of the Session and Mobility Management (SMM) is defined as one of a Mobility Management (MM) detached Session Management (SM) inactive state, a Mobility Management (MM) connected Session Management (SM) active state, and a Mobility Management (MM) idle and Session Management (SM) active state.

45. The system as in any one of embodiments 43-44 wherein a Session and Mobility Management (SMM) state of the wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) is changed based on a Packet Data Protocol (PDP) address assignment to the WTRU.

46. The system as in any one of embodiments 27-45 wherein the second core network is configured to reject the attach request if the wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) is not permitted in a Routing Area (RA) associated with the second core network.

47. A state machine for Session and Mobility Management (SMM) includes a Mobility Management (MM) detached and Session Management (SM) disabled state indicating that a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) is detached and a Packet Data Protocol (PDP) context is activated.

48. The state machine of embodiment 47 further comprising a Mobility Management (MM) connection and Session Management (SM) initiated state indicating that the wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) is attached, the Packet Data Protocol (PDP) context is activated, and a Session Management (SM) connection is established.

49. The state machine of any of embodiments 47-48, further comprising a Mobility Management (MM) idle and Session Management (SM) initiated state indicating that the wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) is attached, the Packet Data Protocol (PDP) context is activated, and the Session Management (SM) connection is released.

Although the features and elements of the present invention are described in the preferred 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.

Claims (21)

1. A method for use in wireless communications, the method comprising:

receiving an attach request message from a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), the attach request message including an identifier of the WTRU and an attach type;

transmitting an attach accept message including quality of service (QoS) information, Access Point Name (APN) information, and an Internet Protocol (IP) address for the WTRU; and

an attach complete message is received.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the identifier of the WTRU is an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI).

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the identifiers of the WTRU are a packet temporary mobile subscriber identity (P-TMSI) and a Routing Area Identity (RAI).

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting a message using the IP address.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the attachment type indicates an evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN) only attachment.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the attachment type indicates an evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN) attachment with an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI).

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the attach accept message further comprises information related to at least one of: an attach accept message identification, an attach result, a Mobile (MS) identification, an equivalent Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), network feature support, an emergency number list, a Transaction Identifier (TI), a protocol discriminator, a protocol configuration option, a Transaction Identifier (TI), a radio priority, or a packet flow identifier.

8. An apparatus for use in wireless communications, the apparatus comprising:

a receiver configured to receive an attach request message from a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), the attach request message including an identifier of the WTRU and an attach type;

a transmitter configured to transmit an attach accept message including quality of service (QoS) information, Access Point Name (APN) information, and an Internet Protocol (IP) address for the WTRU; and

the receiver is further configured to receive an attach complete message.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the identifier of the WTRU is an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI).

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the identifiers of the WTRU are a packet temporary mobile subscriber identity (P-TMSI) and a Routing Area Identity (RAI).

11. The device of claim 8, wherein the transmitter is further configured to transmit a message using the IP address.

12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the attachment type indicates an evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN) only attachment.

13. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the attachment type indicates an evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN) attachment with an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI).

14. The device of claim 8, wherein the attach accept message further comprises information related to at least one of: an attach accept message identification, an attach result, a Mobile (MS) identification, an equivalent Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), network feature support, an emergency number list, a Transaction Identifier (TI), a protocol discriminator, a protocol configuration option, a Transaction Identifier (TI), a radio priority, or a packet flow identifier.

15. An apparatus for use in wireless communications, the apparatus comprising:

means for receiving an attach request message from a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), the attach request message including an identifier of the WTRU and an attach type;

means for transmitting an attach accept message including quality of service (QoS) information, Access Point Name (APN) information, and an Internet Protocol (IP) address for the WTRU; and

means for receiving an attach complete message.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the identifier of the WTRU is an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI).

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the identifiers of the WTRU are a packet temporary mobile subscriber identity (P-TMSI) and a Routing Area Identity (RAI).

18. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising means for transmitting a message using the IP address.

19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the attachment type indicates an evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN) only attachment.

20. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the attachment type indicates an evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN) attachment with an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI).

21. The device of claim 15, wherein the attach accept message further comprises information related to at least one of: an attach accept message identification, an attach result, a Mobile (MS) identification, an equivalent Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), network feature support, an emergency number list, a Transaction Identifier (TI), a protocol discriminator, a protocol configuration option, a Transaction Identifier (TI), a radio priority, or a packet flow identifier.