Wireless wide area network (wwan) mobile gateway with communication protocol management

(Field of invention) The present invention relates generally to wireless communication systems, and more specifically to wireless wide area network (WWAN) mobile gateways.

(Background of invention) WWAN mobile gateways, sometimes referred to as cellular mobile gateways, cellular routers, mobile routers, and other names, communicate with WWAN communication systems such as cellular communication systems to provide packet data services to user devices. The WWAN mobile gateway uses a local area network (LAN) interface to exchange data with wireless and / or wired user devices. The LAN interface may include a wireless LAN (WLAN) transceiver such as a Wi-Fi access point and / or a wired LAN such as an Ethernet® interface. Many WWAN mobile gateways include an interface for connecting WWAN modem cards. WWAN modem cards typically include WWAN transceivers such as cellular transceivers that exchange data with WWAN communication systems connected to public switched telephone networks (PSTNs) and / or public exchange systems such as the Internet. The WWAN mobile gateway performs necessary timing and conversion functions by connecting a LAN to the WWAN communication system and provides data packet services to users.

Traditional WWAN mobile gateways are limited in that the WWAN mobile gateway is configured to communicate with a WWAN modem card using a single communication protocol. Communication protocols are typically standard communication protocols that exchange a limited type of information.

<p> Therefore, there is a need for devices, systems and methods that communicate with WWAN modem cards using one of a plurality of communication protocols.</p>

<p> (Overview) A wireless wide area network (WWAN) mobile gateway is configured to execute a communication protocol selected from multiple communication protocols and communicate with a connected WWAN modem card connected via a WWAN device interface. The connected WWAN modem card is one of a plurality of WWAN modem cards, and each of the plurality of WWAN modem cards is configured to communicate using one of a plurality of communication protocols. Includes a WWAN transceiver that exchanges WWAN signals with a WWAN communication system.</p>

<figref num="1">FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a WWAN mobile gateway in a communication network according to an exemplary embodiment.</figref><figref num="2">FIG. 2 is a flow chart of how to communicate with a wireless wide area network (WWAN) modem card according to an exemplary embodiment.</figref>

(Detailed explanation) In an exemplary embodiment, a WWAN mobile gateway (mobile gateway) in a communication network may exchange data with at least one user device and communicate with a WWAN system such as a cellular communication system over a WWAN communication link. It is configured to connect to any one of the WWAN modem cards. Each of the plurality of modem cards communicates with the mobile gateway using one of a plurality of communication protocols. The default communication protocol facilitates communication with all WWAN modem cards. However, at least one WWAN modem card provides an additional mechanism when communicating using enhanced communication protocols. When the WWAN modem card is inserted into the mobile gateway, the mobile gateway identifies the WWAN modem card or determines the appropriate protocol to communicate with the WWAN modem card. If the mobile gateway determines that the inserted WWAN modem card is a WWAN modem card with an enhanced mechanism and can communicate using the enhanced communication protocol, the mobile gateway will switch to the enhanced communication protocol. Execute the corresponding enhanced protocol code and enable the mobile gateway to use additional mechanisms supported by the enhanced mechanism's WWAN modem card. Execution of the enhanced protocol code can replace at least a portion of the default protocol code, load the replacement code from memory, call a subroutine to enable additional mechanisms, or have the mobile gateway enhanced the protocol code. It may include other actions that allow access to the instruction. Additional mechanisms include network type identification, signal strength display, signal quality display, short message service (SMS) related mechanism activation, device diagnostic information presentation, and network diagnostic presentation. Can include. The network type is displayed as network 100, CDMA2000. It may include indications of whether it operates according to the 1X Ev-DO (Evolution Data Optimized), CDMA2000 1X Ev-DO, DataTAC, GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) or EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for Global Evolution) protocols. The device diagnostic information may include electronic serial number (ESN) information or mobile directory number (MDN) information. The network diagnostic information may include A key information, ANAAA key information, ANHA key information, and DMU key information.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a cellular WWAN mobile gateway 102 within a communication network 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The WWAN mobile gateway 102 can communicate with a WWAN communication system such as the cellular communication system 104 and exchange data with the wireless user device 106 and / or the wired user device 108. The cellular communication system 104 provides cellular communication services via at least one base station connected to the cellular system infrastructure 112. The cellular system infrastructure 112 is connected to the public switched telephone network (PSTN) 114 via a mobile exchange center (MSC) (not shown). In an exemplary embodiment, the cellular communication system 104 is cdma2000. Operates according to code division multiple access (CDMA) standards such as 1X, 1xEV-DO, and W-CDMA. In some situations, the cellular communication system 104 may operate according to other standards, such as OFDM-based standards or GSM standards. Thus, the cellular communication system 104 can be any wireless wide area network (WWAN). The various functions and operations of the blocks described with respect to the cellular communication system 104 can be implemented in any number of devices, circuits, or elements. Two or more functional blocks can be integrated into a single device, and features described as running on any single device can be implemented across several devices. For example, in some situations at least a portion of the functionality of the cellular system infrastructure 112 may be performed by the base station 110 or MSC.

The WWAN mobile gateway 102 exchanges data with the wireless user device 106 and, in some cases, with the wired user device 108 using the LAN interface 116. The WWAN mobile gateway 102 further includes a controller 118 connected to the WWAN device interface 119, an output device 122, a memory 123, and a LAN interface 116. The controller 118 controls the operation and communication between the WWAN device interface 119, the output device 122, and the LAN interface 116, and performs other functions to facilitate the overall operation of the WWAN mobile gateway 102.

In an exemplary embodiment, a WWAN modem card 120, such as a cellular modem card, is plugged into and received by WWAN device interface 119, which may be in the form of a modem port at WWAN mobile gateway 102. WWAN device interface 119 includes the WWAN modem card 120 and suitable hardware to secure the conductors, forming an electrical connection between the conductors of the WWAN modem card 120 and the conductors of the controller 118. WWAN device interface 119 may include additional elements or networks that interface with the WWAN modem card 120. Since the plurality of modem cards have a set of pins arranged in a standard configuration, each of the plurality of WWAN modem cards can be connected to the WWAN mobile gateway 102. Therefore, the WWAN device interface 119 is configured to connect to any one WWAN modem card 120 of the plurality of WWAN modem cards. Each of the plurality of WWAN modem cards is configured to communicate with WWAN device interface 119 using a communication protocol. When communicating using enhanced communication protocols, at least one of the WWAN modem cards provides at least one additional feature. In an exemplary embodiment, all WWAN modem cards may communicate using standard communication protocols. Controller 118 executes the selected communication protocol of a plurality of communication protocols and communicates with the connected WWAN modem card 120 via WWAN device interface 119. Controller 118 selects the communication protocol by determining the capabilities of the WWAN modem card 120 inserted into WWAN device interface 119.

Any of a number of techniques can be used to identify the communication protocols supported by the WWAN modem card 120. In an exemplary embodiment, controller 118 sends a query message requesting the WWAN modem card 120 to respond with a communication protocol identifier. If the WWAN modem card 120 supports a protocol other than the standard (default) protocol, the WWAN modem card 120 responds with a communication protocol identifier. If the WWAN modem card 120 only supports standard protocols, the query message cannot be decoded by the WWAN modem card 120 and the WWAN modem card 120 will not respond. Another suitable technique for detecting the communication protocols supported by the WWAN modem card 120 involves reading the serial number. Another example is to send a message that can only be decoded by the corresponding protocol, and to determine that the WWAN modem card 120 supports the communication protocol if an acknowledgment or response is received from the WWAN modem card 120. And include. Therefore, the controller 118 is configured to identify the communication protocol corresponding to the WWAN modem card 120 after the card has been inserted into the WWAN device interface 119.

After identifying the communication protocol, controller 118 uses the selected communication protocol to communicate with the WWAN modem card 120. In an exemplary embodiment, controller 118 executes the code corresponding to the selected communication protocol. Any of a number of methods can be used to execute the code. For example, the appropriate code can be retrieved from memory 123 and loaded into controller 118. In some situations, subroutines may be called to facilitate additional functionality not supported by the default protocol. Therefore, controller 118 executes the default code corresponding to the default communication protocol when the WWAN modem card 120 supports only the default communication protocol, and is enhanced when the WWAN modem card 120 supports the enhanced communication protocol. Executes enhanced code that enables communication using communication protocols. The enhanced communication protocol enables additional functionality of the WWAN modem card 120 that is not available using the default communication protocol.

The WWAN modem card 120 includes a transmitter 124 and a receiver 126, and includes a cellular communication system 104 over a cellular communication link and a WWAN transceiver 125 configured to exchange data as a WWAN signal. The transmitter 124 transmits a cellular uplink signal (reverse link signal) to the cellular base station 110 of the cellular communication system 104, and the receiver 126 transmits a cellular downlink signal (forward) from the cellular base station 110 via the cellular communication link. Directional link signal) configured to receive. The WWAN modem card 120 is adapted to exchange data corresponding to the packet data service with the cellular communication system 104 and receive the cellular downlink signal over the cellular communication link. When the default communication protocol is used, the information that can be received from the WWAN modem card is called the default information. Examples of default information include connection status (connected or not connected), throughput rate, and usage time.

When the enhanced communication protocol is used, controller 118 may receive additional information in addition to the default information. Examples of further information include WWAN signal quality information from the WWAN modem card 120 that indicates or is associated with the quality of the communication link between the WWAN modem card 120 and the cellular communication system 104. Examples of other additional information include network type information, signal strength information, device diagnostic information and network diagnostic information.

As described below, the signal quality information can be a parameter such as signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) or the observed rate of successful transmission. Based on the signal quality information, the controller 118 generates a control signal and controls the output device 122. The controller 118 may be connected directly to the output device 122 or may be connected via another network. For example, controller 118 may be connected to a digital-to-analog controller (DAC) (not shown) that produces an analog voltage on one or more LEDs. The output device 122 responds to the control signal generated by the controller 118 and exhibits the signal quality of at least one cellular downlink (forward link) signal. Controller 118 generates control signals based on one or more quality indicators provided by the WWAN modem card 120. In an exemplary embodiment, controller 118 produces a signal according to the Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) provided by the WWAN Modem Card 120. However, the controller 118 may use other indicators and combinations of indicators to generate a control signal, which results in the display of a cellular signal when applied to the output device 122. Other examples of signal quality indicators that can be used by controller 118 are the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), bit error rate (BER), the total number of data packets or successfully received data packets, and the data packets that were successfully received. Includes data throughput parameters such as percentages and data throughput over cellular communication links. Controller 118 may also process multiple quality indicators and generate control signals. For example, controller 118 may generate control signals based on RSSI and SNR in some situations.

Further information may be accessed by an external device communicating with the WWAN mobile gateway 102. For example, laptop computers connected via a packet data network such as the Internet may have access to further information with proper authorization and authentication. Information such as real-time packet data throughput, RSSI, or BER of WWAN signals can be provided by a graphical user interface on the laptop.

Further information available may include control signals that control, configure, tune, or access the operation of the WWAN mobile gateway 102. For example, the enhanced functionality of the WWAN Modem Card 120 may include receiving short message service (SMS) messages and generating corresponding messages or control signals to alter the behavior of the WWAN mobile gateway. The maximum number of WLANs allowed access to the WWAN mobile gateway 102 can be changed, for example. In addition, the WWAN mobile gateway 102 can be reset for diagnostic purposes using SMS. Some or all of the control functions available over the packet-switched network may be enabled using the additional mechanism of SMS with the enhanced mechanism of WWAN modem card 120.

In an exemplary embodiment, the LAN interface 116 may include a wired LAN interface, a wireless LAN (WLAN) interface, or both. The LAN interface 116 may include an interface port (not shown) that exchanges signals with the wired user device 108 according to the wired LAN protocol. Examples of suitable wired LAN protocols include the Ethernet® protocol. Further, the WLAN interface within the LAN interface 116 may include a wireless communication modem (not shown) that exchanges wireless signals with the wireless user device 106 according to the WLAN protocol. Suitable WLAN examples include wireless access points that provide packet data services to one or more wireless devices according to the IEEE 802.11 protocol and wireless fidelity (WiFi).

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a method of communicating with a WWAM modem card according to an exemplary embodiment. The method can be performed by any combination of hardware, software, and / or firmware, or on any device of a large number of devices, but the method is performed by controller 118 on the WWAN mobile gateway 102.

In step 202, the WWAN mobile gateway 102 identifies the communication protocol supported by the WWAN modem card 120 connected to the WWAN device interface 119. In an exemplary embodiment, controller 118 invokes an initial procedure that includes a query message, a response, and an acknowledgment, often referred to as a "handshake." After performing a handshake corresponding to the default communication protocol, controller 118 sends a query message that is only supported by the enhanced communication protocol. If the appropriate response is received from the WWAN modem card 120, it is determined that the WWAN modem card 120 supports an enhanced communication protocol. As described above, some other technique can be used to determine the communication protocols supported by the WWAN modem card 120.

In step 204, the WWAN mobile gateway 102 determines whether the WWAN modem card 120 supports an enhanced communication protocol. WWAN Modem Card 120 If the enhanced communication protocol is supported, the method continues at step 208. If not, the method proceeds to step 206.

In step 206, controller 118 executes the default communication protocol and communicates with the WWAN modem card 120. In an exemplary embodiment, the standard communication protocol is supported by a plurality of WWAN modem cards and is the default communication protocol. Therefore, controller 118 continues to execute the default code and communicates using the default communication protocol.

At step 208, controller 118 executes the enhanced protocol code. In an exemplary embodiment, the enhanced protocol code corresponding to the enhanced communication protocol supported by the WWAN modem card 120 is retrieved from memory 123 and loaded into controller 118 for execution. Other techniques can be used to execute enhanced protocol code. For example, subroutines can be used to facilitate the enhanced mechanism provided by the enhanced mechanism WWAN modem card 120. When the enhanced protocol code is executed, at least one enhanced mechanism is enabled in addition to the set of default features provided by the enhanced mechanism's WWAN modem card 120.

The above example relates to a single standard communication protocol and a single enhanced communication protocol, but any number of enhanced protocols can be used. Therefore, the mobile gateway can determine which of the many enhanced communication protocols is supported by the connected modem card. The mobile gateway accesses the corresponding protocol code and communicates using a specific enhanced communication protocol.

In view of these teachings, apparently other embodiments and modifications of the invention will be readily conceivable to those skilled in the art. The above description is illustrative and not limiting. The present invention should be limited only by the following claims, and the claims are all such embodiments and when considered in connection with the specification and accompanying drawings above. Including corrections. Therefore, the scope of the invention should not be determined in connection with the above description, but instead in relation to the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.