Providing an indicator of presence of a first access network that is capable of interworking with a second access network

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Invention Patent Descriptive Report for

METHOD, MOBILE STATION AND BASE STATION TO PROVIDE AN INDICATOR OF THE PRESENCE OF A FIRST ACCESS NETWORK THAT IS CAPABLE OF INTEROPERATING WITH A SECOND ACCESS NETWORK.

Background

[0001] Various wireless access technologies have been proposed or implemented to allow mobile stations to communicate with other mobile stations or with wired terminals coupled to wired networks. Examples of wireless access technologies include GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) and UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) technologies, defined by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP); and CDMA 2000 (Code Division Multiple Access 2000) technologies, defined by 3GPP2. CDMA 2000 defines a type of packet-switched wireless access network, referred to as the HRPD (High Rate Packet Data) wireless access network.

[0002] Another more recent standard that provides packet-switched wireless access networks is the 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) standard, which seeks to enhance UMTS technology. The LTE standard is also referred to as the EUTRA (Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access) standard. EUTRA technology is considered as the fourth generation (4G) technology that wireless network operators are migrating to in order to provide advanced services.

summary

[0003] In general, according to some embodiments, a method comprises receiving, by means of a mobile station, a control message containing a presence indicator of a first access network that operates according to a first protocol that is

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2/11 able to interoperate with a second access network that operates according to a different second protocol. In response to receipt of the indicator, the mobile station performs a procedure to establish a personality for the mobile station that specifies the configuration to allow the mobile station to use resources of the first access network that allow interoperability with the second access network.

[0004] Other alternative features or features will become obvious from the following description, from the drawings, and from the embodiments.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0005] Some modalities are described in relation to the following figures:

Figure 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary arrangement that includes different types of wireless access networks, in which some embodiments may be incorporated;

Figure 2 is a flow diagram of a process performed by a mobile station, according to some embodiments;

Figure 3 is a flow diagram of a process performed by a base station in a wireless access network, according to some embodiments; and

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

Detailed Description

[0006] 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, as defined by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). The LTE standard is also referred to as the EUTRA (Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access) standard.

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[0007] The migration of CDMA technology (Multiple Access by

Code Division) 2000, as the HRPD (High Rate Packet Data) technology defined by 3GPP2, for the EUTRA technology, involves several challenges. One technique to enable the migration from HRPD to EUTRA involves the use of evolved HRPD technology (eHRPD). An eHRPD wireless access network is able to interoperate with a EUTRA wireless access network. A mobile station supporting eHRPD technology can be handoff between the eHRPD access network and a EUTRA access network. Additionally, a mobile station that supports eHRPD can perform cell re-selection in EUTRA or eHRPD access networks. Different wireless protocols can use different types of modulations for wireless communication, such as OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing), GMSK (Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying), 8PSK (8 Phase Shift Keying), or CDMA modulations.

[0008] A mobile communication system maintained by a wireless network provider may not implement eHRPD capability across all HRPD access networks. In other words, some HRPD access networks in an HRPD coverage area are enabled for eHRPD (these access networks are referred to as eHRPD access networks), while other HRPD access networks in the HRPD coverage area do not support eHRPD capability ( these access networks are referred to as HRPD access networks). For example, it is possible that only those HRPD cells that overlap with a EUTRA coverage area or are adjacent to a EUTRA coverage area can employ eHRPD access networks.

[0009] When a mobile station transitions from an HRPD access network to an eHRPD access network, the mechanisms

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Conventional 4/11 does not provide an efficient technique for initiating a session negotiation procedure to establish an eHRPD personality. For example, a mobile station can boot into a regular HRPD access network and then move to an eHRPD access network. An eHRPD personality includes a configuration to allow the mobile station to use resources of the eHRPD access network that allow interoperability with the EUTRA network. A personality includes protocol types (to identify protocol types to use) and attribute values ​​(predefined attribute values ​​relating to communication) used for communication between the mobile station and the access network. An eHRPD personality includes the protocol types and attribute values ​​associated with the eHRPD technology that allow the mobile station to utilize eHRPD resources. Without an established eHRPD personality, the mobile station will be unable to utilize the eHRPD resources.

[00010] Under some embodiments, mechanisms or techniques are provided to allow a mobile station that has eHRPD capability to efficiently determine when the mobile station is in an eHRPD access network. This can be accomplished by sending a control message to the mobile station, where the control message contains an indicator (or indicators) of one or more access networks that are capable of eHRPD. The control message can be sent over an eHRPD access network to which the mobile station has been migrated. In this case, the indicator in the control message is an indicator that the eHRPD access network to which the mobile station has been migrated is capable of eHRPD. Alternatively, the mobile station can be provided with information regarding neighbors of an access network that the mobile station is currently on are capable of eHRPD. In the latter case, the control message could contain multiple

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5/11 indicators as to which neighbors of an access network the mobile station is currently on are capable of eHRPD.

[00011] Upon determining that the mobile station is in an access network that is capable of eHRPD, the mobile station may perform an eHRPD personality negotiation to establish a specific eHRPD personality for the mobile station.

[00012] Although reference is made to HRPD, eHRPD, and EUTRA, it is noted that more generally, the mobile station may receive a control message containing a presence indicator of a first access network that is capable of interoperating 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 different second protocol. In response to receipt of the indicator, the mobile station performs a procedure to establish a personality for the mobile station that specifies a configuration so as to allow the mobile station to use resources from the first access network that allow interoperability with the second access network . It is noted that techniques according to some modalities can be applied to other types of access networks, including, as examples, WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access as defined by IEEE 802.16), WiFi (as defined by IEEE 802.11), and other types of access networks.

[00013] Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary arrangement that includes different types of access networks, including an EUTRA 102 access network, an HRPD 104 access network, and an eHRPD 106 access network. , an HRPD access network 104, and an eHRPD access network 106 are shown in Figure 1, it is observed that typically there could be multiple EUTRA access networks, multiple HRPD access networks, and

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6/11 multiple eHRPD access networks. As used herein, the term wireless access network or access network refers to equipment used to allow a mobile station to connect wirelessly through the access network to access services provided over a targeted network, such as a data network. packages 116.

[00014] According to EUTRA technology, the EUTRA 102 access network includes an advanced node B (eNode B), which is a type of base station. The HRPD access network 104 includes an HRPD base station, and the eHRPD access network 106 includes an eHRPD base station. A base station can perform one or more of the following tasks: radio resource management, mobility management to manage the mobility of mobile stations, traffic routing, and so on. Generally, the term base station can refer to a cellular network base station or access point used in any type of wireless network, or any type of wireless transmitter/receiver to communicate with mobile stations. The term base station may also include an associated controller, such as a base station controller or a radio network controller. It is contemplated that the term base station also refers 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 can refer to a telephone handset, a handheld computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or an integrated device such as a health monitor, attack alarm, and so on.

[00015] As shown in figure 1, in the EUTRA 100 network, a mobile station 108 wirelessly connects to the EUTRA 102 access network. The EUTRA 102 access network is in turn connected to various components, including a gateway. service 110 and a mobility management entity (MME) 112. The MME 112 is

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7/11 a control node for the EUTRA 102 access network. For example, the MME 112 is responsible for mobile station tracking and paging procedure in idle mode. The MME 112 is also responsible for selecting the service port for a mobile station in initial attachment and at the time of handover. MME 112 is also responsible for authenticating the mobile station user.

[00016] Service port 110 routes the bearer data packets. The service port 110 also acts as a mobility anchor for the user plane during handovers between different access networks. Service port 110 is also connected to a packet data network (PDN) port 114 that provides connectivity between mobile station 108 and packet data network 116 (e.g., the Internet, a network that provides various services. etc.).

[00017] In the HRPD 101 network, a mobile station 118 wirelessly connects to the HRPD 104 access network. The HRPD 104 access network is in turn connected to a packet data service node (PDSN) 120, which in turn is connected to the packet data network 116.

[00018] Also, to allow interoperability between the HRPD 101 network and the EUTRA 100 network, the eHRPD 106 access network is established that it wirelessly connects to a mobile station 122. The eHRPD 106 access network is in turn connected to an HRPD service port (HSGW) 124. HSGW 124 is the entity that terminates the eHRPD access network interface of the eHRPD access network 106. HSGW 124 routes data traffic originated by the mobile station or terminated by the mobile station. The HSGW 124 provides mobile station interoperability with the EUTRA 100 network. Interoperability features include support for mobility, policy control and loading, authentication of

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8/11 access, roaming, and others. HSGW 124 supports seamless mobility transfer between technologies between the EUTRA 100 network and the eHRPD 106 access network.

[00019] With reference to EUTRA, HRPD, and eHRPD standards it is intended to refer to current standards as well as standards that evolve over time. It is hoped that future standards that evolve from EUTRA, HRPD, or eHRPD may be referred to by different names. It is contemplated that reference to EUTRA, HRPD, or eHRPD is intended to encompass such subsequently evolved standards as well. Also, as noted above, the techniques or mechanisms are applicable for systems employing other types of wireless protocols.

[00020] Figure 2 is a flow diagram of a process performed by a mobile station. The mobile station receives (at reference numeral 202) a control message containing an eHRPD capable indicator to indicate that a particular access network, such as eHRPD access network 106, is eHRPD capable. The control message received by the mobile station may be an overload message that is broadcast by an access network via a control channel. One type of overload message is the HRPD QuickConfig message. Another example of an overload message is the SectorParameters message. A QuickConfig message is used to indicate a change in the content of an overhead message. A SectorParameters message is used to transmit sector-specific information to mobile stations. In other implementations, other types of control messages can be used to inform a mobile station that a particular access network is capable of eHRPD. Furthermore, it is noted that instead of being a broadcast message, a control message containing the eHRPD capable indicator can be a message

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9/11 targeted for a specific mobile station.

[00021] Note that the control message may merely indicate whether or not the access network the mobile station is currently attached to is an eHRPD capable access network. Alternatively, the control message can indicate a set of access networks, including adjacent access networks that are capable of eHRPD. In the latter scenario, multiple indicators could be provided in the control message to indicate that multiple access networks are capable of eHRPD. Thereby, when the mobile station switches to a new eHRPD access network 106, the mobile station knows that the new eHRPD access network 106 is capable of eHRPD.

[00022] In response to the eHRPD indicator, and after the mobile station is attached to an access network capable of eHRPD, the mobile station performs (in reference number 204) a procedure to establish an eHRPD personality for the mobile station. In some examples, the procedure for establishing the eHRPD personality might be a session setup procedure.

[00023] Once the eHRPD personality has been established by the mobile station, the mobile station is able to use resources of the eHRPD capable access network (eg the eHRPD 106 access network) which allows for interoperability with the EUTRA 100 network .

[00024] Figure 3 is a flow diagram of a process performed by an access network, according to some modalities. For example, the procedure of Figure 3 can be performed by the eHRPD access network 106 of Figure 1. The access network sends (in reference number 302) a control message containing an eHRPD capable indicator to indicate that an access network is able to support eHRPD. Alternatively, the control message may contain multiple eHRPD capable indicators to specify the

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10/11 respective access networks as capable of eHRPD. In response to a procedure initiated by the mobile station, the access network cooperates with the mobile station to establish (in reference number 304) an eHRPD personality for the mobile station.

[00025] Figure 4 is a block diagram of a wireless station 400, which can be a mobile station (for example, mobile station 108, 118, or 122 in figure 1) or a base station (for example, eNodeB , HRPD base station, or eHRPD base station in Figure 1). Wireless station 400 includes a processor (or multiple processors) 402, which is (are) connected to storage means 404. Machine readable instructions 406 are executable on processor(s) 402 to perform respective tasks associated with wireless station 400, such as the tasks shown in Figure 2 or 3. Wireless station 400 also includes an interface 408 for communication over a wireless link, such as a radio frequency (RF) link.

[00026] Machine readable instructions 406 are loaded for execution on processor(s) 402. A processor may include a microprocessor, microcontroller, processor module or subsystem, programmable integrated circuit, programmable gate array, or other device of control or computation.

[00027] The data and instructions are stored on the respective storage devices, which are implemented as one or more computer readable or machine readable storage media. Storage media include different forms of memory including semiconductor memory devices such as dynamic or static random access memories (DRAMs or SRAMs), erasable and programmable read memory (EPROMs), electrically erasable and programmable read memory (EEPROMs) and memories flash; magnetic disks like fixed disks,

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11/11 flexible and removable; other magnetic media including tape; optical media such as compact discs (CDs) or digital video discs (DVDs); or other types of storage devices. Note that the instructions discussed above may be provided on one computer readable or machine readable storage medium, or alternatively, may be provided on multiple computer readable or machine readable storage medium distributed on a large system that has possibly multiple nodes. Such computer-readable or machine-readable media or media is (are) considered to be part of an article (or article of manufacture). An article or article of manufacture can refer to any single component or multiple manufactured components.

[00028] In the above description, numerous details are presented to provide an understanding of the subject described here. However, implementations can be practiced without some or all of these details. Other implementations may include modifications and variations on the details discussed above. The appended embodiments are intended to include such modifications and variations.

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