Repacking procedure for streaming packet switched services

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method of repackaging or re-sorting of channels for services guaranteed bit-rate.

The This invention is designed to better assignment of channels in a general package funct service (or General Packet Radio to enable Service, GPRS) network, where there is a conflict between circuit-switched and packet-switched are, and will be described below with reference to this application. However, will be appreciated that the invention among others existing or future Standards shall apply.

BACKGROUND THE INVENTION

in the With regard to the developed GPRS proposals and standards, it is proposed a first pool of channels, of a packet-switched (PS) domain is called, the PS-traffic is used, and a second pool of channels of a circuit-switched (CS) domain is called, the for CS traffic is used to provide. To the performance a network that uses this arrangement to maximize, is it is desirable to intelligent interaction between these two areas enable.

On Way to achieve this is by the PS area in a dedicated PS capacity (only for PS connections) and a PS default capacity (for either PS or CS connections, but for PS as a default). One difficulty with this arrangement was that CS traffic a higher priority than PS traffic is associated with the PS default capacity. This means that a down- or downgrade of the PS area would lead to an interruption of the PS connections, where it is necessary to to meet the requirement. While this recently was considered in many situations to be tolerable, has the increase of streaming PS services that guaranteed a garantier require throughput, generated a need to allow similar priority for PS and CS connections.

A further improvement of this arrangement was to continue the PS preset capacity in a time or temporarily dedicated area (Temporary Dedicated Territory, TDT) and to divide a preset horsepower range. TDT is used for PS- and CS connections. The preset horsepower range is used for PS connections as a default, but can be used for CS connections will. About that addition, CS connections is a higher priority than PS connections assigned within the preset horsepower range, which means that a downgrade of the PS area always assumed , even if the resources by PS connections in use are associated in the preset horsepower range.

If a two-pool model is used for radio resource allocation and streaming PS connections have the same allocation / maintenance-priority, as a CS connection, can Channels, streaming PS are assigned within the TDT, not used for CS connections will. This means that when a PS-requested Bereichsherabstufung is and there is a streaming-PS connection at least that the channels is assigned, are eligible to be downgraded, will rejected the request will. The channels requested therefore no CS territory, but are maintained as PS channels. These Situation is CS-blocking cause as PS Bereichsherabstufungen be carried out, when the CS radio resource manager (Radio Resource Manager, RRM) more channels for new incoming connections required.

WHERE 00/01186 describes a system for allocating connections in a system having circuit-switched and packet-switched connections. A maximum number of channels for every Frequency is assigned to packet-switched connections. These channels filled are required as packet-switched connections. If more packet-switched connections are requested are available as free channels, the system channels, other packet-switched connections have already been assigned, assign. This is up to a specified maximum number of Connections per channel continued. This system ensures that a certain number of channels for circuit-switched Connections is reserved.

It An object of the present invention, a method for enhancing the use of network resources of PS and CS connections be shared to provide.

SUMMARY THE INVENTION

According to the invention a conciliation procedure a request for a network resource allocation to a packet-switched, dedicated horsepower range as CS-region for CS connections is suitable, within a &lt;?page 3?&gt;Telecommunications network new to assign, the process being characterized by: <ul><li>(A) determining the scope of all GBR connections guaranteed bit-rate in the requested reallocation the packet-switched, dedicated PS-region, the requested reallocation region adjacent the CS territory is; and</li><li>(B) in the case that one or more GBR connections in the requested Reallocation available are: (I) Find out if a or more of the GBR connections into the dedicated horsepower range outside the requested reallocation may be to re-ordered, and corresponding reallocation of any such GBR connection; and (Ii) in the case that the requested reallocation region adjacent the CS territory then partially or completely free whose reassignment as CS territory.</li></ul>

Prefers one or more CS connections in the remapped up CS area.

In a preferred embodiment includes the invention of further Step (a) the step of treating of any non-GBR connections in the requested reallocation according to a predetermined network policy. contains preferably Directive trials, at least one of the non-GBR connections in a region of the PS region which does not form part of the requested Reallocation forms to remap.

Prefers contains the method includes the step of dissolving any non-GBR connections, are not in the region of the PS area which does not form part of the requested Reallocation forms, can be remapped.

In a preferred embodiment, the dedicated horsepower range a fixed time assigned area and preferred to request a PS downgrade request. Alternatively it can be a PS channel request the request.

The Regions and areas can Timeslots include.

In a specific embodiment, one or more of the compounds over two or more time slots multiplexed and step (b) (i) includes finding out whether all the Time slots of the one or more multiplexed connections in the dedicated PS territory outside the requested reallocation can be rearranged. All such GBR connections are assigned accordingly.

In In another aspect, the invention provides telecommunications network apparatus for mediating a request for a network resource allocation ready to ensure a packet-switched, fixed-level horsepower range as a circuit-switched CS territory, the usable for CS connections is to reallocate in the telecommunications network, the Device being characterized in that it is adapted: <ul><li>(A) the extent of all GBR connections with guaranteed Bitrate within the requested reallocation of packet-switched, to determine dedicated horsepower range, the requested is reallocation the CS territory adjacent; and</li><li>(B) in the case that one or more GBR connections in the requested Reallocation available are: (I) Find out if one or more of the GBR connections within the dedicated PS area outside the requested new allocation region can be remapped, and according to assign all such GBR connections newly; and (Ii) in the case that the requested reallocation region adjacent to the CS territory is then partially or completely free, this as CS territory to remap.</li></ul>

Prefers telecommunications network apparatus comprises a packet control unit PCU within a Base Station Controller BSC in the telecommunications network, wherein the PCU is arranged to perform the Neuzuordnungsschritte.

SHORT DESCRIPTION THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments the invention will now by way of example only, with reference described to the accompanying drawings, in which:

<figref idrefs="S14">1</figref> on Flowchart, the steps in a switching process of the invention for a Request for a network resource allocation demonstrates a to assign dedicated horsepower range as a CS-area new, the CS connections is usable;

<figref idrefs="S15">2</figref> shows the handling of a network resource request according to the in the figure shown method in a first scenario;

<figref idrefs="S15">3</figref> shows the handling of a network resource request according to the in the figure shown method in a second scenario; and

<figref idrefs="S15">4</figref> shows the handling of a network resource request in accordance by the method shown in the figure, in a third &lt;?page 4?&gt;Scenario.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Among Referring to the drawings and <figref idrefs="S14">1</figref> becomes a For conciliation a request for a network resource allocation shown by a fixed assigned horsepower range as a CS region for CS connections ver applicable is to remap. The request may, for example, the configuration of a packet-switched (PS) -Herabstufungsanforderung <figref>10</figref> or a CS-channel request <figref>11</figref> accept. While it are technical differences between such requirements is the Behavior of the packet control unit (PCU), in both cases the same. For the Purposes of this description, the downgrade request will be considered, but it is appreciated that they apply the invention in other cases is where there is a need or desire a dedicated PS area for use by CS connections new to assign.

The PCU notes (step <figref>13</figref>) Whether there is sufficient free resources in the Channel region adjacent the CS territory is to to allow expanded the CS area and that meets the requirement is. It does this by comparing the number of channels that has been sent as a parameter of the request with information about the temporary block rivers (Or Temporary Block Flows, TBF), which is currently assigned to the PS range are.

in the Case that there are sufficient resources, the PS downgrade request- directly fulfills (step <figref>14</figref>). However, if the resources to initially not available are, it is necessary to determine (step <figref>15</figref>), if any of the existing connections in the requested region are from streaming PS type. This is attributable to the fact that streaming PS connections a guaranteed bit rate (GBR) is ordered, that must be met. If there is no there GBR connections, then can all links in the requested region based on network rules reassigned (step <figref>16</figref>) will. Typically, this to bring with them, try the channels that any such Connection related stand, a region of the PS range to remap the not with the downgrade in connection stands. If there is no such sufficient capacity, then the non-GBR connection - likely do not fall calmly. The precise However, behavior of the network is not critical at this point.

If there are GBR connections in the channels herabzustufenden, then initiates the PCU admission control (or Admission Control, AC) procedure (Step <figref>17</figref>) For experiments, the GBR connections re assign. This brings with it out for each connection (Step <figref>18</figref>) If there is sufficient free resources outside resource region are associated with the downgrade related to this compound with sufficient Qu to support. If reassignment possible is, then the connection will be repackaged and re-sorted (step <figref>19</figref>) in the new resource region. If all requested channels at this Step (step <figref>20</figref>) Are free, then the PS downgrade accepted (Step <figref>25</figref>) And the TDT in the relevant region is for the use of CS connections made freely.

If The necessities channels not all are free, but there are others to be considered (step <figref>21</figref>) are compounds, then the procedure returns to step <figref>17</figref>, If not to be considered connections left are, then it is determined (step <figref>22</figref>), If there is any channels is that immediately adjacent to the resource region to region, the for is CS used, have been freed. If there are any, then the PS downgrade request- partly possible Scope Approved (step <figref>23</figref>). If no channels are free, the PS downgrade request is rejected (step <figref>24</figref>).

Around the behavior of the invention in different situations better To illustrate, some specific examples are hereinafter described. In all the following use cases it is assumed that the number of channels requested in each PS Bereichsherabstufung m = 2. Another assumption is that there is a TDT-CS-area border between timeslot (timeslot, TSL) TSL 6 and TSL 7 (see <figref idrefs="S15">2</figref> to <figref>5</figref>) gives.

CASE 1 (<figref idrefs="S15">2</figref>)

States beforehand:

<ul><li>There are two streaming-PS connections allocated in the TDT are.</li><li>A compound used TSLs 4.5 &amp;. 6</li><li>Compound B used TSLs 4. 5</li><li>TSLs 1, 2 &amp; 3 is so busy that only one of the connections (either is A or B) in a position to be allocated within them.</li></ul>

measures:

<ul><li>1. Compounds TSL 6 are assigned, be checked first. In this Case, there is in this TSL only compound A.</li><li>2. In this case, a repackaging or an order&lt;?page 5?&gt;sort of A connection possible and it is TSLs 1, 2 &amp; 3 reassigned.</li><li>3. Compounds TSL 5 are assigned are checked afterwards. In this Case, there is in this TSL (Compound A is already of this TSL been removed) only compound B.</li><li>4. In this case, a repackaging or re-sorting of Compound B is not possible.</li><li>5. Since there are no more streaming-PS connections, the TSLs 5 &amp; 6 assigned are (the channels, which come into question are to be downgraded), it is checked whether some this TSLs are free.</li><li>6. As TSL 6 has no assigned to it streaming connections, the downgrade is assumed for the horsepower range, but only one channel can be downgraded (n = 1).</li></ul>

States afterwards:

<ul><li>Umpackungs- or Umsortierungsprozedur succeeds.</li><li>PS territory is downgraded with n =. 1</li><li>CS traffic is not blocked.</li></ul>

CASE 2 (<figref idrefs="S15">3</figref>)

States beforehand:

<ul><li>There are two streaming-PS connections allocated to the TDT are.</li><li>A compound used TSLs 4.5 &amp;. 6</li><li>Compound B used TSLs 4.5 &amp;. 6</li><li>TSLs 1,2 &amp; 3 are so busy that only compounds (either is A or B) in a position to be allocated within them.</li></ul>

measures:

<ul><li>1. Compounds TSL 6 are assigned, be checked first. In this Case, there are both connections A &amp; B in this TSL.</li><li>2. In this case, a re-packaging or re-sorting of the compound A possible and it is the TSLs 1,2 &amp; 3 re-ordered.</li><li>3. In this case, a re-packaging or re-sorting of the compound B is not possible.</li><li>4. Since there are no more streaming-PS connections, the TSLs 5 &amp; ​​6 assigned are (the channels eligible to be downgraded) are, it is checked whether some are free from these TSLs.</li><li>5. As compound B is not reassigned, they used yet TSL 5 &amp; 6th Therefore, the downgrade of the PS range is rejected.</li></ul>

States afterwards:

<ul><li>Umpackungs- or Umsortierungsprozedur is unsuccessful (As compound B is not remapped).</li><li>PS territory is not downgraded (n = 0).</li><li>CS-traffic is blocked.</li></ul>

CASE 3 (<figref idrefs="S15">4</figref>)

States beforehand:

<ul><li>There are two streaming-PS connections allocated to the TDT are.</li><li>A compound used TSLs 4.5 &amp;. 6</li><li>Compound B used TSLs 4.5 &amp;. 6</li><li>TSLs 1,2 &amp; 3 are so busy that both compounds A and B in the Are able to be assigned within these</li></ul>

measures:

<ul><li>1. Compounds TSL 6 are assigned, be checked first. In this Case, there are both connections A &amp; B in this TSL.</li><li>2. In this case repackaging or re-sorting is the compound A possible and they will TSLs 1,2 &amp; 3 reassigned.</li><li>3. In this case, repackaging or re-sorting of the compound B possible and they will TSLs 1,2 &amp; 3 re-ordered.</li><li>4. Since there are no more streaming-PS connections, the TSLs 5 &amp; 6 assigned are (the channels, to be come into question, downgraded), it is checked whether some this TSLs are free.</li><li>5. Since both compounds A &amp; B be reassigned, the downgrade of the PS area for the requested number of channels (N = m = 2) was adopted.</li></ul>

States afterwards:

<ul><li>Umpackungs- or Umsortierungsprozedur succeeds.</li><li>PS territory is downgraded (n = m = 2).</li><li>CS traffic is not blocked.</li></ul>

General specifically, it is a further point, which must be taken into account in the statistical multiplexing of streaming services over the same timeslots. Repackaging or re-sorting of such a connection requires a Reallocation of all resources (eg, channels) associated with this compound being related. Accordingly, in this case a partial approval of the downgrade is not possible.

It is also appreciated that the Res&lt;?page 6?&gt;resources, has been incorporated by reference, spectral, time, may be or channel-based. For example, the resource timeslots, frequency bands, or a combination be one of these two.

Although the invention with reference to a number of specific embodiments has been described, will be appreciated by those skilled that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.