Wireless communication methods and components for facilitating multiple network type compatibility

The present invention hands over networked communications, interoperability of networks that comply with different types or standards, and communications from one network type to another without adversely affecting services. Regarding methods and devices for facilitating. Specifically, the present invention presents a wireless network (WLAN) such as a local area network in which one of the networks complies with one of the IEEE802-based standards, or 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) or related standards. It relates to a wireless transmit / receive unit (WTRU) that can operate in multiple types of networks, which is a cellular system compliant with.

Wireless communication systems are well known in the art. In general, such systems include communication stations that send and receive wireless communication signals to and from each other. Depending on the type of system, the communication station is usually one of two wireless devices: That is, one type is a base station (BS) and the other type is a mobile subscriber radio transmitter / receiver unit (WTRU).

As used herein, the term base station refers to a base station, access point (AP), node B in a wireless environment that provides other WTRUs with wireless access to the network to which the base station is associated. , Site controllers, or other interacting devices, but are not limited to these.

As used herein, the term wireless transmit and receive unit (WTRU) refers to user equipment, mobile stations, fixed or mobile subscriber units, pagers, or any other type that can operate in a wireless environment. Devices include, but are not limited to. Such WTRUs include personal communication devices such as telephones, video telephones, and Internet-enabled telephones with network connectivity. In addition, WTRU also includes portable computing devices such as PDAs and notebook computers with wireless modems with similar network capabilities. A WTRU that is portable or can be relocated is called a mobile unit.

Usually, a network of base stations is provided in which each base station can perform wireless communication with a properly configured WTRU group and a plurality of properly configured base stations in parallel. As an alternative, some WTRUs can also be configured to communicate wirelessly with each other directly, i.e., without being relayed over the network via a base station. This is commonly referred to as peer-to-peer wireless communication. When a WTRU is configured to communicate directly with another WTRU, the WTRU itself is also configured as a base station and can function as a base station. The WTRU has both network and peer-to-peer communication capabilities and can be configured for use in multiple networks.

One type of wireless system, called a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), can also perform peer-to-peer communication with a WTRU with a WLAN modem, so that it communicates wirelessly with a WTRU with a WLAN modem. Can be configured in. WLAN modems are now being incorporated by manufacturers into many traditional communication and computing devices. For example, cellular phones, personal digital assistants, and laptop computers are manufactured with one or more WLAN modems.

For wireless cellular phones, one widely used current standard is known as GSM (Global System for Mobile Telecommunications). This standard is considered the so-called 2G (2nd generation mobile radio system standard), followed by a revised version (2.5G) of this standard. GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) and EDGE (Enhanced Data for GSM Evolution) are examples of 2.5G technologies that provide relatively faster data services than (2G) GSM networks. Each of these standards has sought to improve the preceding standards with further features and enhancements. In January 1998, ETSI SMG (European Telecommunications Standard Institute Special Mobile Group) announced UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications). An agreement was reached on a wireless access method for third-generation wireless systems called System). To further embody the UMTS standard, 3GPP was formed in December 1998. 3GPP continues to work on a common third-generation mobile radio standard. In addition to the 3GPP standard, the 3GPP2 standard, which uses Mobile IP in the core network for mobility, is being developed.

Usually, a general WLAN environment having one or more WLAN base stations called an access point (AP) is constructed in accordance with the IEEE802 standard. Accessing these networks usually requires a user authentication procedure. Protocols for such systems, such as the frameworks of protocols provided in IEEE802-based standards, are currently being standardized in the field of WLAN technology.

The Basic Service Set (BSS) is the basic building block of an IEEE 802.11 WLAN, including the WTRU, also known as the STA (STAtion). Basically, a set of STAs that can communicate with each other can form a BSS. Multiple BSSs are connected to each other via an architectural component called a Distribution System (DS) to form an Extended Service Set (ESS). An access point (AP) is a WTRU that provides access to a DS by providing a DS service, which generally allows multiple STAs to access the DS in parallel.

In an AP-based WLAN, the WTRU must wirelessly communicate with a specific AP located in the vicinity of the WTRU. WTRU is said to be associated with that AP. Occasionally, a WTRU needs or wants to change the AP to which it is associated (reassociation). For example, a WTRU may be subject to poor signal conditions because it has moved out of the geographic area served by the AP (original AP) to which it was originally associated. Poor signal conditions can also be caused by congestion in the basic service set (BSS) serviced by the original AP.

The WTRU can use the WLAN to communicate over the Internet by establishing a communication session with the Internet server through the associated AP and obtaining a unique IP address. In general, this type of communication requires establishing routing information that allows the WTRU to send information to the Internet and receive information sent from the Internet to the WTRU's IP address. .. When the WTRU reassociates with a new AP, maintaining that communication session requires a mechanism to forward that session to the new AP and update the routing information.

The WTRU can also be configured to communicate with two or more different types of networks. Such a device is called a multimode WTRU. For example, the WTRU can be configured to communicate with three different networks, including 802.11 (WiFi) networks, 803.16 (WiMAX) networks, and cellular telephone networks. The multimode WTRU can be configured to operate independently in each type of network configured to operate the multimode WTRU. For example, Patent Document 1 published on December 9, 2004 and owned by the assignee of the present invention discloses a multimode WTRU.

<patcit num="1"><text>U.S. Patent Publication No. 20040248615</text></patcit>

<p> In an independent multimode implementation, the WTRU can perform one or more communications under different communication standards, but can only hand over specific communications within the context of the same type of network. To provide additional functionality and versatility, the multimode WTRU may hand over communications from one type of network that uses one communication standard to another type of network that uses a different communication standard. It is desirable to provide a handover mechanism that enables it.</p>

<p> The WTRU communicating with the base station (original BS) through the first communication standard performs a handover to another BS (target BS) without impairing performance, and communicates with the target BS through the second communication standard. Communication methods, communication systems, and communication components that enable communication are provided.</p><p><tables num="1"><img file="JP2008512965A_D0001.tif" /></tables></p>

The present invention can be understood in more detail from the description of the following preferred embodiments to be understood together with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, similar elements are indicated by similar reference numerals.

The terms base station (BS) and radio transmit / receive unit (WTRU) are used as described above. The present invention provides a wireless access environment in which wireless network services including Internet access are provided to WTRU through a plurality of networking standards, utilizing the plurality of networking standards. The present invention is particularly useful when mobile multimode WTRUs are used in connection with such WTRUs as they move across their respective geographic areas of service coverage provided by their respective base stations. However, the advantages of the present invention can also be realized by a WTRU that is stationary during a particular communication. For any type of quality of service degradation in that communication, through a handover to a different type of network in which the WTRU is configured to operate to provide better quality of service for that communication. This is because the deterioration of QoS (quality of service) can be dealt with. The WTRU preferably has an embedded or installed wireless device, such as a cellular standard compliant device and / or an IEEE802 standard compliant device, to communicate, but is used for handover options at the time of connection, directly. It can also have wiring communication capability.

The term frame as used herein includes, but is not limited to, packets, blocks, frames, or cells. A frame is a bundle of data organized in a particular way for transmission from one device to another. The main elements that typically make up a frame are a header that contains synchronization information, source information, destination information, and length information, a payload that contains the data to be transmitted, and a packet termination, error detection, and error correction mechanism. With trailers including.

The term protocol as used herein defines rules and procedures related to frame formats and signal timing in which devices communicate with each other. A protocol stack is a related protocol family or protocol suite designed to work together.

Referring to FIG. 1, a wireless communication environment is shown in which the WTRU performs wireless communication via a network station, in this case, via a WLAN AP. APs are connected to other WLAN network infrastructures, such as Access Controllers (ACs). The AP is shown as communicating with five WTRUs. Communication is coordinated and synchronized via the AP. Such a configuration is also called the Basic Services Set (BSS) within the context of the WLAN.

Referring to Figure 2, a WLAN with two APs, represented as the original and the target, is shown. The WTRU communicating wirelessly via the original AP is shown. The WTRU is located within the area served by both the original AP and the target AP, so if the WTRU moves towards the target AP outside the range of the original AP, or for some other reason, the WTRU. However, it is possible to "hand off" the WTRU communication from the original AP to the target AP. This type of intra-network hand off has traditionally been provided by standards developed for various types of network systems. However, inter-network hand off of communication between different types of networks is generally problematic.

Today's inter-technology mobility is based on application software / Layer 3 solutions, especially for mobile IP. However, the handover is relatively slow and is susceptible to data loss. As described in detail below, the present invention is directly connected to lower physical and medium access control layers (L1 and L2) and triggers higher layers for inter-technical mobility. It provides Layer 2.5, a new trigger processing layer dedicated to inter-network communication, designed to speed up the process.

Referencing Figure 3 shows a multimode WTRU that can communicate over multiple network types. It is shown that the WTRU is moving from the area serviced by the Cellular Base Station (BS) to the area serviced by the WLAN Access Point (AP). An internetwork communication handoff is performed that terminates the old connection with the BS and establishes a new connection with the AP.

Two different paths are shown on the network side to continue WTRU communication. One path represents communication such as voice or other data over the core network of a cellular system such as a 3GPP system. The other path indicates data communication over the Internet, which can be voice over IP, or any other data. In such cases, the WTRU Internet session should be maintained as a Mobile IP Home Agent on the cellular controller. In this case, the IP packet destined for the WTRU is forwarded via mobile IP tunneling to the associated Mobile IP External Agent (Foreign Agent) in the Network Access Controller (AC), and then the AC to the AP. Send those packets to WTRU over the new established connection.

According to the present invention, inter-network communication handoff-related services are implemented at various nodes, at least through the implementation of a new protocol layer called Layer 2.5 (L2.5) in the WLAN protocol component. Preferably, the access controller implements the L2.5 protocol and is configured to handle mobility-related services on the network side, and the multimode WTRU implements the L2.5 protocol and is mobile on the user side. It is configured to handle related services and communicate with L2.5 on network AC. Optionally, the access point implements the L2.5 protocol to communicate low-level information from the WTRU to the access controller (AC), or the implementation is between the AP and AC. Divided by. Alternatively, the features described herein in relation to the new protocol layer (L2.5) may be in various ways, such as in a management plane outside the normal layer, or in some other form. It can also be implemented.

Refer to Figure 4 to show the handover architecture and services for the preferred implementation of the L2.5 protocol in multimode WTRUs and compatible WLAN network components (WLAN AP / AC). The WTRU consists of a transceiver that implements a communication protocol for WLAN communication via "n" stack components. Each stack component contains a WLAN physical layer (L1) and WLAN MAC layer (L2) implementation that interfaces with Logical Link Control (LLC) and Layer 2.5 components. A WLAN network component is configured with a transceiver that implements a communication protocol for WLAN communication over "n" stack components. Each stack component is a WLAN physical layer (L1) and WLAN that interfaces with a logical link control (LLC) component and a Layer 2.5 component. Includes MAC layer (L2) implementation. Handovers are possible between any of the "n" different types of networks, each with its own separate MAC and PHY layers.

Layer 2.5 implementation identifies different networks available to perform wireless communication based on different types of received signals, and changes the selection of the type of communication signal used for WTRU communication. An internetworking decision component configured to perform is provided. Preferably, there are three types of services that support handover between different types of networks: indication services, network advertisement and discovery services, and mobility services. And are provided.

The instruction service is between the traditional physical (PHY) lower layer and the medium access control (MAC) lower layer (L1 and L2, respectively) with technology dependence and the traditional higher layer (L3) such as mobile IP. It acts as an abstraction layer. It is desirable that the L2.5 instruction service implements various functions including the following. That is: Set up a trigger for the L2.5 mobility service that makes a handover decision based on triggers from L1 and L2 (eg, link up, link down, etc.) Send on the L3 and application signaling interfaces Set up triggers for L3 (eg, Mobile IP), such as Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), and higher layers, and send over MAC and PHY interfaces, L1 and Set up a trigger for L2. Triggers sent to higher layers can simply be instructions about radio medium conditions, or they can give more intelligent instructions, such as giving specific instructions (eg, switching from link 1 to link 2). It can also be given to higher layers. This presupposes that the network discovery service and the mobility service can independently make a handover determination and notify a higher layer of the change.

Network publication and discovery services should include managing network discovery and selection. It is desirable that a list of network neighborhoods be maintained along with the capabilities of each network (eg, QoS, link conditions). This information can also be sent to the WLAN via L2.5 signaling by the multimode WTRU, or shared via operational, management and maintenance (OA &amp; M) capabilities. .. The network discovery service preferably interacts with the mobility service to convey the required information to the mobility service so that appropriate handoff decisions can be made.

Mobility services should include inter-802 mobility services, cellular-WLAN mobility services, or both of these mobility services. However, any type of network to facilitate handovers to or from WLANs and any other type of wired or wireless network configured to communicate with a particular multimode WTRU. -WLAN mobility service can be provided. The 802-to-802 L2.5 mobility service should include managing WTRU handovers from the 802.xx network to the 802.yy network using different communication standards. Here, 802.xx and 802.yy are different standards in the standard group of the IEEE802 system.

Mobility services within L2.5 should be implemented to communicate via a management interface. The management interface can be configured to use an Inter Access Point Protocol (IAPP), a Control And Provisioning Wireless Access Point (CAPWAP), or other similar protocol. desirable. Mobility services are a security context transfer for inter-network handovers related to the type of network in which a particular mobility service component is configured to play a role. It is desirable to have a function), pre-authentication function, and other verification functions. In particular, IAPP and CAPWAP are used for mobility within IEEE 802.11 networks. In this way, L2.5 mobility is not limited to technology-to-technology (eg, WLAN-cellular), but also to IP subnet mobility, which is possible within the same technology and between technologies. Can be applied.

The mobility service is configured to make a handover decision regarding communication from one type of network to another type of network. Preferably, the mobility service component is a communication link condition that includes the desired QoS level and / or, for example, link condition changes and expected link terminations, user preferences, or other factors. It is configured to be based on such a determination. For example, if communication can be continued over either of the two networks with the desired QoS, the decision to perform the handover is the cost of service, relative network congestion, or any other. This can be done based on various factors such as desired parameters. Preferably, the mobility service is technology agnostic, that is, the mobility service is addressed by a component configured to implement L1 and L2 for communication over a particular network. , Configured to be independent of the physical requirements of such a network.

The cellular-WLAN mobility service preferably includes managing the cellular-WLAN handover. Depending on the type of connection between the cellular and WLAN, the cellular-WLAN mobility service should shield the 802.xx technology details from the cellular network. Such mobility services are preferably configured with an interface that is the same as or similar to the traditional Iub interface or Iur interface in terms of connectivity and functionality. The cellular neighborhood list can be shared via the OA &amp; M features implemented in such mobility services. Preferably, security management and mobility management are implemented in the wireless LAN access gateway.

Referring to FIG. 5, an exemplary configuration for a WLAN network station is shown. Network stations are preferably configured to communicate with other APs and ACs via inter-access protocols such as IAPP, CAPWAP, or other similar protocols. The station has an IAPP + (IAPP with extensions) interface and CAPWAP + (CAPWAP with extensions) to communicate with other WLAN APs and WLAN ACs. extensions)) Shown with an interface. In such a configuration, the neighborhood list can be obtained by various methods. For example, IAPP + can send a neighborhood list to L2.5, which sends the list to the station. Alternatively, the WTRU can report the neighborhood list to L2.5, which sends the list to other nodes via IAPP +. It is desirable that the OA &amp; M agent be provided to store the neighborhood list. With such a configuration, the L2.5 can make a handover determination and then perform the handover determination via IAPP +, CAPWAP +, or any similar protocol.

FIG. 6 shows a cellular-to-WLAN handover for a multimode WTRU performed according to the teachings of the present invention. The WTRU is configured with transceivers that implement communication protocols for both cellular network communication through the cellular stack component and WLAN communication via the 802.11xx stack component. The cellular stack component includes implementations of a protocol for the cellular physical layer (L1), a protocol for the cellular MAC layer (L2), a protocol for the cellular radio link control (RLC) layer, and a protocol for cellular radio resource control (RRC). The 802.xx stack components are L2.5, WLAN physical layer (L1), and WLAN mentioned above. Includes implementation of MAC layer (L2) and WLAN logical link control (LLC). The RRC component of the cellular stack and the interface component b that connects to the L2.5 component of the 802.xx stack provide L2.5 signaling between their respective protocol stacks, which is their respective MAC layer formatting and physical. It is transmitted to each network via layer formatting and via radio signaling between the WTRU and each network. RRC is a 3GPP standard radio resource control function, which is a normal cellular protocol architecture function. Other equal features may also be used, including, but not limited to, GSM RR.

The initial state is the active communication connection between the multimode WTRU and the cellular network via the cellular stack component. In that state, the paths labeled 1 and 2 have a Layer 2.5 trigger that resides in the cellular network with the Cellular-802 Handover Policy. Function) Shows two alternative routes that can lead to the component. Path 1 signaling makes a connection to the WLAN through the 802.xx stack component. The WTRU sends Layer 2.5 trigger information (eg, measurements) to the WLAN network, where the information is sent via the IP mechanism between the two networks, or some other common transmission mechanism. Propagated to the cellular network / handover policy function. Upon receiving Layer 2.5 trigger information, the cellular network / handover policy function uses that information as part of the handover decision process and then causes a handover to result in the disconnection of the active communication connection (indicated by x). Communication can then continue over the WTRU / WLAN connection (not shown).

Path 1 signaling can be performed in Simultaneous Radio Mode operation, in which the Layer 2.5 function autonomously transmits Layer 2.5 trigger information to the WLAN network. For Non-Simultaneous Radio Mode operation, the cellular stack periodically instructs Layer 2.5 of the 802.xx stack to send the trigger information over path 1 to the cellular network ( It is desirable to be configured as prompt). In such cases, periodic instructions are sent between the RRC component and the L2.5 component via interface b.

Path 2 signaling can be performed in simultaneous wireless mode operation, in which the Layer 2.5 function is an application programming interface (API:) on interface b between the RRC and Layer 2.5 components of each stack. Layer 2.5 trigger information is autonomously transmitted to the stack on the cellular side via the Application Programming Interface). This API is a standard set of software interrupts, calls, and data formats that Layer 2.5 uses to initiate contacts with cellular network services. Layer 2.5 information is then propagated to the cellular network via the RRC signaling protocol. In non-simultaneous radio mode operation, the cellular stack can periodically instruct the layer 2.5 trigger information to be sent to the cellular network via path 2. This is shown in FIG. 6 and periodic instructions are transmitted between RRC and Layer 2.5 via interface b.

Layer 2.5 information can be propagated in various ways through path 2. For example, Layer 2.5 information can be fully encapsulated and propagated within an RRC signaling message. Alternatively, Layer 2.5 information may be propagated partially encapsulated within the RRC signaling message. Optionally, Layer 2.5 information may be interworked with new RRC messages or with old RRC messages. As with path 1 signaling, when the cellular network / handover policy function receives Layer 2.5 trigger information via path 2 signaling, the system uses that information as part of the handover determination process and then. Handover can be executed.

FIG. 7 shows the case where the multimode WTRU of FIG. 6 initially has active communication with the WLAN and is subsequently handed over to the cellular network. In this case, the communication is controlled by the WLAN 802 handover policy function. The paths labeled 3 and 4 show two alternative routes through which the Layer 2.5 trigger can reach the 802 handover policy component residing in the WLAN. In L2.5 signaling over path 3, the L2.5 component of the 802.xx stack communicates with the WLAN802 handover policy feature over the active link. Path 4 signaling makes a connection to the cellular network through the cellular stack component. The WTRU sends Layer 2.5 trigger information to the cellular network, where the information is sent to the WLAN, and the WLAN 802, via the IP mechanism between the two networks, or some other common transmission mechanism. Propagated to the handover policy function. Upon receiving Layer 2.5 trigger information, the 802 Handover Policy feature may use that information as part of the handover decision process and then perform a handover, resulting in the disconnection of the active communication connection (indicated by x). Yes, then communication continues over the cellular / WTRU connection (not shown).

In concurrent radio mode operation, the RRC component may be configured to autonomously send background RRC handover related information to the 802.11stack L2.5 component via interface b. it can. This L2.5 component can relay that information to the WLAN over path 3 and propagate that information to the cellular network for use in establishing cellular / WTRU handover connections on the WLAN. it can. Alternatively, the RRC component autonomously sends background RRC handover-related information to the cellular network over path 4, with instructions that communication is currently being processed by Layer 2.5 of the 802.xx WLAN for handover. It can also be configured to do so.

When a handover determination or handover condition determined by the WTRU occurs, it is desirable that the WTRU802.xx stack L2.5 component signal the generated event to the 802 handover policy function. Next, it is desirable that the 802 handover policy function make a final determination regarding executing the handover to the cellular network. If the determination is to start, WLAN Layer 2.5 sends the signal to the cellular network. After the handover to the cellular network, it is desirable that the subsequent handover action be determined by the cellular-802 handover policy function, as described in connection with FIG.

Figure 8 shows an example of a WTRU configured to operate in four different wireless network communication environments: GSM, 3GPP, IEEE802.11, and IEEE802.16. The WTRU of FIG. 8 includes a transceiver 50 configured to perform radio signaling in each of these four networks. Transceiver 50 includes GSM stack components. This GSM stack component is configured to implement a protocol for the GSM physical layer (L1), a protocol for the GSM MAC layer (L2), a protocol for the GSM cellular radio link control (RLC) layer, and a protocol for GSM RR. .. Transceiver 50 also includes a 3GPP stack component. This 3GPP stack component includes a protocol for the 3GPP physical layer (L1), a protocol for the 3GPP MAC layer (L2), a protocol for the 3GPP cellular radio link control (RLC) layer, and 3GPP. It is configured to implement a protocol for RRC. Transceiver 50 also includes the WLAN 802.11 stack component. This WLAN802.11 stack component is configured to implement a protocol for the WLAN802.11 physical layer (L1), a protocol for the WLAN802.11 MAC layer (L2), and a protocol for WLAN802.11 LLC. Transceiver 50 also includes the WLAN 802.11 stack component. This WLAN802.16 stack component contains a protocol for the WLAN802.16 physical layer (L1), a protocol for the WLAN802.16 MAC layer (L2), and a WLAN802.16. It is configured to implement a protocol for LLC. An interface component b'is provided that is configured to facilitate L2.5 signaling between these four components. L2.5 components are implemented inside interface b'instead of being built into one of the WLAN component stacks. The translation of the triggers generated for the active communication protocol stack takes place within the L2.5 component. As a result, the trigger can be understood by different networks that are candidates for the handover of active communication, thereby handing over from any network with which the WTRU can communicate to any other network. Becomes possible.

FIG. 8 shows an example of signaling when the handover of active WLAN 802.11 communication is done to the GSM cellular network. In this case, the communication is controlled by the 802.11 handover policy function of the 802.11 WLAN. The paths labeled 5 and 6 show two alternative routes through which Layer 2.5 triggers can reach the 802 handover policy component located within the 802.11 WLAN. In L2.5 signaling over path 5, the L2.5 component communicates with the WLAN802 handover policy feature over the 802.11 stack component and over the active link. Path 6 signaling makes a connection to the GSM cellular network through the GSM cellular stack component. The WTRU50 sends Layer 2.5 trigger information to the cellular network, where the information is 802.11WLAN, and 802.11WLAN, via an IP mechanism between the two networks, or some other common transmission mechanism. Propagated to the 802.11 handover policy function of. Upon receiving Layer 2.5 trigger information, the 802.11 Handover Policy feature uses that information as part of the handover decision process and then causes a handover to result in the disconnection of the active 802.11 WLAN communication connection (indicated by x). Communication can then be continued via the GSM cellular / WTRU connection (not shown).

As indicated by the phantom, the WTRU in FIG. 8 can also include a wired signal processing component W. Wired signal processing component W is another type for processing network communication signals received by WTRU over a wired connection and selectively configuring network signals for communication over that wired connection. It is desirable to be configured to implement a set of network protocols. In such cases, interface component b'to facilitate L2.5 signaling to the wired signal processing component and the wireless stack component to allow handoff of communication between wired and wireless communications. It is composed of. If the WTRU has a wired signal processing unit, the present invention is applicable even if the WTRU has only a single radio operating mode.

Although the features and elements of the invention have been described in preferred embodiments in a particular combination, each feature or element can also be used alone (without the other features and elements of the preferred embodiment). However, it can also be used in various combinations with or without other features and elements of the invention.

The L2.5 components in Figures 6-8, along with interface components and one or more components that implement each network communication protocol stack, are simple, such as application specific integrated circuits (ASICs). It is desirable to be mounted on one integrated circuit. However, those components can also be easily implemented on multiple separate integrated circuits.

The above description describes a particular WTRU configuration and network configuration as an example, not as a limitation. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that other modifications and modifications are possible according to the present invention.

(Embodiments) 1. A wireless transmit / receive unit (WTRU) with a transceiver configured for use in multiple types of wireless networks.

2. WTRU of Embodiment 1, configured for use in cellular wireless communication systems.

3. The WTRU of any of the above embodiments configured for use in a GSM system.

4.3 The WTRU of any of the above embodiments configured for use in a GPP system.

5. The WTRU of any of the above embodiments configured for use in a wireless local area network (WLAN) that operates according to IEEE802 standards.

6. The WTRU of any of the above embodiments configured for use in IEEE 802.11 systems.

7. The WTRU of any of the above embodiments configured for use in an IEEE 802.16 system.

8. The WTRU of any of the above embodiments configured for use in an IEEE802.21 system.

9. A WTRU of any of the above embodiments, comprising a transceiver configured to send and receive multiple types of selectively configured communication signals, configured to use that WTRU. The WTRU of any of the above embodiments, wherein each type of signal is configured according to a predetermined signal configuration used for communication in one type of network.

10. The WTRU of Embodiment 9, wherein at least one type of network in the network group configured to use the above WTRU is a wireless network.

11. The WTRU of embodiment 9 or 10, wherein at least one type of network in the network group configured to use the WTRU is a wired network.

10. A WTRU of any of the above embodiments comprising a plurality of signal processing components, each signal processing component processing and processing communication signals of the respective type of network received by the transceiver. The WTRU of any of the above embodiments configured to implement a set of protocols for different types of networks that selectively configure signals for each type of network for transmission by the transceiver.

11. A WTRU of any of the above embodiments comprising an internetworking determination component, wherein the internetworking determination component is different available for performing wireless communication based on different types of received signals. The WTRU of any of the above embodiments configured to identify the network and make changes in the selection of the type of communication signal used for WTRU communication.

12. A WTRU of any of the above embodiments comprising an interface component, wherein the WTRU communication uses a different type of network signal from a communication that uses one type of network signal. The WTRU of any of the above embodiments configured to communicate signaling by the Internetworking determination component between the signal processing components so that it can be continued while switching to communication.

13. A WTRU of any of the above embodiments configured to be used in both cellular networks and wireless local area networks (WLANs), in which multiple signal processing components are cellular physical layers, cellular media. The WTRU of any of the above embodiments that processes cellular signals at the access control (MAC) layer, the cellular radio link control (RLC) layer, and the cellular radio resource control (RRC) layer.

14. WTRU of Embodiment 13 further comprising a WLAN signal processing component that processes WLAN signals at the wireless local area network (WLAN) physical layer, WLAN MAC layer, and WLAN logical link control (LLC) layer.

15. Embodiment 13 or 14 further comprising an internetworking determination component configured to interface between the cellular RRC layer processing of the cellular signal processing component and the WLAN MAC layer processing of the WLAN signal processing component. WTRU of the embodiment.

16. The Internetworking Judgment Component is configured as an additional layer (Layer 2.5) within the WLAN Signal Processing Component that provides instruction services, network announcement and discovery services, and mobility services for inter-network handover, and the interface. The WTRU of any of the above embodiments, wherein the component is configured for signaling between the WLAN 2.5 layer and the RRC layer.

17. The Layer 2.5 Internetworking Judgment component is configured to perform an instruction service that sets up a trigger for the Layer 2.5 mobility service described above to make a handover decision based on triggers from the physical and MAC layers. , WTRU of any of the above embodiments.

18. The WTRU of embodiment 17, wherein the Layer 2.5 interworking decision component is configured to set up a trigger for the higher protocol layer, which is transmitted over the higher layer signaling interface.

19. WTRU of embodiment 17 or 18, wherein the Layer 2.5 interworking determination component is configured to set up a trigger for the physical and MAC layers that is transmitted over the physical and MAC layer interfaces.

20. Any of embodiments 17-19, wherein the Layer 2.5 interworking determination component is configured to perform a network publication and discovery service that manages network discovery and selection by maintaining a list of network neighborhoods. WTRU of the embodiment.

21. The neighborhood list includes the capabilities of each network and moves information that allows the service to interact with the mobility service to make an appropriate handoff decision. WTRU of embodiment 20, configured to communicate to sexual services.

22. The Layer 2.5 interworking decision component now provides mobility services for security context transfer and pre-authentication functions for inter-network handovers related to the type of network the WTRU is configured to communicate with. WTRU of any of embodiments 17-21, configured in.

23. Embodiments in which the Layer 2.5 interworking decision component is configured to make a handover decision regarding communication from one type of network to another based on a desired quality of service (QoS) level. WTRU of any of 17-22 embodiments.

24. Any of embodiments 17-23, wherein the Layer 2.5 interworking determination component is configured to make a handover determination regarding communication from one type of network to another based on communication link conditions. The WTRU of that embodiment.

25. Any of embodiments 17-24, wherein the Layer 2.5 interworking determination component is configured to make a handover determination regarding communication from one type of network to another based on user preference. WTRU of the embodiment.

26. Concerning communication from one type of network to another so that the above mobility services are configured independently of the physical requirements of the network addressed by the physical and MAC layer components. The WTRU of any of the 17th to 25th embodiments configured to make a handover determination.

27. Any of the above, where the Internetworking Judgment Component is configured as an additional layer (Layer 2.5) within the Interface Component that provides instruction services, network announcement and discovery services, and mobility services for inter-network handovers. WTRU of the embodiment.

28. The WTRU of any of the above embodiments, wherein an interface component is configured for signaling between the WLAN 2.5 layer and the plurality of signal processing components.

29. A WTRU of any of the above embodiments configured for use in both cellular networks and wireless local area networks (WLANs) and comprising a plurality of signal processing components. The components are GSM cellular signal processing that processes GSM cellular signals at the GSM cellular physical layer, GSM cellular medium access control (MAC) layer, GSM cellular radio link control (RLC) layer, and GSM cellular radio resource control (RRC) layer. A WTRU of any of the above embodiments, including components.

30. A WTRU of any of the above embodiments configured for use in both cellular networks and wireless local area networks (WLANs) and comprising a plurality of signal processing components, wherein the plurality of signal processing is performed. The components are 3GPP cellular signal processing that processes 3GPP cellular signals at the 3GPP cellular physical layer, 3GPP cellular media access control (MAC) layer, 3GPP cellular radio link control (RLC) layer, and 3GPP cellular radio resource control (RRC) layer. WTRU of any of the above embodiments, including components.

31. A WTRU of any of the above embodiments configured for use in both cellular networks and wireless local area networks (WLANs) and having multiple signal processing components. The component implements any of the above, including the 802.11 WLAN signal processing component that processes 802.11 WLAN signals at the 802.11 WLAN Physical Layer, 802.11 WLAN Media Access Control (MAC) Layer, and 802.11 WLAN Logical Link Control (LLC) Layer. Form WTRU.

32. A WTRU of any of the above embodiments configured for use in both cellular networks and wireless local area networks (WLANs) and having multiple signal processing components. The component performs any of the above, including the 802.11WLAN signal processing component that processes the 802.11WLAN signal at the 802.11WLAN physical layer, the 802.11WLAN medium access control (MAC) layer, and the 802.11WLAN logical link control (LLC) layer. Form WTRU.

33. A WTRU of any of the above embodiments configured to be used in both a cellular network and a wireless local area network (WLAN), wherein the internetworking determination component is the cellular signal processing component. The WTRU of any of the above embodiments configured to interface with the WLAN signal processing component.

34. The WTRU of any of the above embodiments, wherein the signal processing component is configured to process the network communication signal received by the WTRU over a wired connection.

32. A WTRU of any of the above embodiments configured for use in both wireless and wired networks and comprising a plurality of signal processing components, wherein the plurality of signal processing components are physical layers. , A WTRU of any of the above embodiments, comprising a wired signal processing component that processes a wired signal at a medium access control (MAC) layer, and a logical link control (LLC) layer.

33. A WTRU of any of the above embodiments configured to be used in both a wireless network and a wired network, wherein the internetworking determination component is the wireless signal processing component and the wired signal processing component. The WTRU of any of the above embodiments configured to interface with.

Although the features and elements of the invention have been described in preferred embodiments in a particular combination, each feature or element can also be used alone (without the other features and elements of the preferred embodiment). However, it can also be used in various combinations with or without other features and elements of the invention.

<figref num="1">It is the schematic of the system which shows the conventional wireless communication in a wireless local area network (WLAN).</figref><figref num="2">It is a figure which shows the conventional WLAN handover of WTRU wireless communication from one access point (AP) to another AP in the same type of WLAN.</figref><figref num="3">It is a schematic of the system which shows the handover to WLAN of WTRU wireless communication in the Internet and cellular network contexts according to this invention.</figref><figref num="4">It is a figure which shows the mutual relationship between a multimode WTRU and a WLAN network according to this invention.</figref><figref num="5">It is a figure which shows the WLAN network station which was configured for the dialogue between the Internet, a cellular network, and a management function.</figref><figref num="6">It is a figure which shows the information flow in the handover from the cellular network to WLAN according to this invention.</figref><figref num="7">It is a figure which shows the information flow in the handover from WLAN to the cellular network according to this invention.</figref><figref num="8">It is a figure which shows another embodiment of the multimode WTRU according to this invention.</figref>