Method and apparatus for simultaneous communication utilizing multiple wireless communication systems

Field of invention

Claiming priority under 35 USC 119 This patent application was filed on August 10, 2005, and is assigned to the assignee of the invention and is expressly incorporated herein by reference in Provisional Application No. 60 / 707,210 (METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SIMULTANEOUS COMMUNICATION). UTILIZING MULTIPLE WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS ) claims priority.

The present disclosure relates to wireless communication methods and devices. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to methods and devices for simultaneous communication using multiple wireless communication systems.

Background of the invention

Radio communication devices typically operate in either the licensed radio frequency (RF) band or the unlicensed RF band. Wide area network, A WAN) provider typically obtains a license to operate a wireless communication system in one or more of multiple licensed RF bands. These systems use a method that allows mobile stations to make multiple access to a common band of frequency channels. These systems typically operate in the licensed RF band. Other systems operate in the unauthorized RF band. Systems operating in the licensed RF band control transmission on the licensed frequencies and channels. This allows the operator to ensure the reliability of the data, in particular to control the information used to maintain and configure control channels and links. Systems operating in the unauthorized RF band do not have this control and can result in data transmission errors as a result of uncoordinated transmissions by different users and service providers.

One access technique for WANs is frequency division multiple access, FDMA), which allows multiple access by assigning mobile stations to different frequency channels within the RF band. Some of these systems use frequency hopping, where data is transmitted to and from the intended mobile station, while periodically changing frequency channels. Periodic channel frequency hopping is done at regular time intervals, eg, frames. A well-tuned frequency hopping system uses a predetermined hopping pattern, or hop-set. Note that the hop set is coordinated across all mobile stations to ensure that signals to and from two or more mobile stations do not appear simultaneously on the same frequency channel. Uncoordinated frequency hopping does not coordinate the hop set between mobile stations, resulting in simultaneous signal transmissions appearing periodically on the same frequency. Such simultaneous communication is called a channel collision. Data reception errors that occur during a channel collision are data collisions (data) It is called collision). Uncoordinated frequency hopping in this type of system is not commonly used as channel collisions and the resulting data collisions can occur. The FCC has banned coordinated frequency hopping within the Industrial Scientific and Medical (ISM) band to avoid spectral aggregation by one type of service. For example, systems such as Bluetooth and 802.11 Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs) operate within the ISM band.

Another type of WAN is code division multiple access (CDMA) systems, Global System for Communications (GSM®), or Wide Area CDMA (WCDMA) systems. is there. These systems use different codes to distinguish between users, allowing multiple access to prevent collisions between signals from different mobile station users.

Systems such as 802.11 WLANs usually have very high data rates when compared to systems operating within the licensed RF band. However, the likelihood of data and control signal conflicts on 802.11 WLANs is higher when compared to WANs.

With the increasing demand for improved wireless communication devices, methods and devices that prevent collisions between signals from different mobile stations while enabling high data rate transfers continue to be needed in the art.

The wireless communication method of the mobile station is to receive the first control signal of the first communication session via the wide area network and the data signal of the first communication session via the first wireless local area network. May include doing. The mobile station may further receive the voice signal of the second communication session over the wide area network or the first radio local area network. In one embodiment, the mobile station may further receive a second control signal for the first communication session over the first radio local area network. In another embodiment, the wireless communication method may further include receiving the voice signal of the second communication session over the second wireless communication local area network. The wide area network performs a mobile station handoff operation from the first wireless local area network to the second wireless communication local area network.

A wireless communication method in a base station of a wide area network is disclosed. At the base station of the wide area network, the first control signal of the communication session between the wireless local area network and the mobile station is received. The base station of the wide area network then transmits a second control signal for the communication session between the wireless local area network and the mobile station. The second control signal may be transmitted to the network management system. The network management system then sends a command in response to the second control signal to the wireless local area network. In one embodiment, the first or second control signal is used to adjust the transmit power, code rate, or bandwidth between the wireless local area network and the mobile station.

Mobile stations can communicate simultaneously with wide area networks and wireless local area networks. The mobile station has a first control unit configured to process control information from the wireless local area network during the communication session and a second control unit to process control information from the wide area network during the communication session. , A processing device configured to perform signaling and packet processing, and a GPS device configured to provide position location information. The second control unit may be configured to receive control and voice signals from a wide area network. The first control unit may be configured to receive control, data, and voice signals from the wireless local area network.

One embodiment provides a machine readable medium that embodies instructions that can be made by one or more processors. The machine-readable medium is an instruction to process the first control signal of the first communication session received over the wide area network and the first communication session received over the first wireless local area network. It may include instructions for processing the data signal. The machine readable medium may include instructions for processing the voice signal of the second communication session received over the wide area network, the first radio local area network, and / or the second radio communication local area network. The machine-readable medium may further include instructions for processing the second control signal of the first communication session received over the first wireless local area network.

<figref num="1">The figure which shows the network system architecture which integrates a WAN network and a WLAN according to one or more embodiments.</figref><figref num="2">The figure which shows the mobile station configured to communicate with a plurality of wireless communication systems according to one or more embodiments.</figref><figref num="3">A flowchart showing a communication method of a mobile station according to one or more embodiments.</figref><figref num="4">A flowchart illustrating a communication method for downloading multimedia data (eg, image, music, or video content) to a mobile station according to one or more embodiments.</figref><figref num="5">A flowchart showing a handover communication method of a mobile station according to one or more embodiments.</figref><figref num="6">Block diagram of a mobile station decoder according to one or more embodiments.</figref>

FIG. 1 shows a network system architecture having a wide area network (WAN) 100 and one or more wireless local area networks (WLAN) 110 according to one or more embodiments. .. Networks 100 and 110 may be managed by network management system 120. The WAN100 may include a Base Station Subsystem (BSS) 140 and a Backhaul Subsystem (BHS) 150, but other communications between the BSS 140 and the wired network may also be used. is there. The WLAN 110 is a Wireless Mobile Center (WMC) 160, a Mobile Transaction Server (MTS) 170, and a WLAN radio that is connected to the WAN 100 via a gateway 190 under the control of a network management system 120. (radio) 180 can be included.

The BSS 140 may be responsible for handling traffic and signaling between the Mobile Station (MS) 130 and the WAN 100. The BSS 140 may include a Base Transceiver Station (BTS) 144 and a Base Station Controller (BSC) 148. The BTS 144 may have one or more radio transceivers that can operate at different radio frequencies. The BTS 144 may further include a device that selectively encrypts and decrypts communications. In addition, the BSC148 includes controls, data communication facilities, and multiplexing / demultiplexing equipment, which is configured to coordinate the overall operation of the base station equipment and controls wireless communication links. Including that. The BSC148 may have multiple BTS144s under its control.

The BHS150 can be a transport system that can include a Mobile Switching Center (MSC) 154 with a switch, power supply, alarm monitoring device, and network database. The network database includes the Home Location Register Authentication Center (HLR / AC) of the CDMA2000 wireless communication system, or the Home Location Register (HLR) used in the GSM wireless communication system, and is a roaming service. Inspect the authorization of services, including assistance with, handle call features, or any other for authentication, authorization, and accounting according to the communication system. It can include databases and systems. HLR / AC or HLR is a Mobile Application Part, By receiving and processing MAP) transactions and messages, it can be further used to authenticate or authorize users attempting to access WLAN110.

The WLAN radio 180 is an access point that allows the transfer of data, voice (which may include packetized voice, or voice over internet protocol) from mobile station (MS) 130 to WLAN 110, and some control signals. Can be. The WMC160 may store information about multiple WLAN radios 180 and multiple MS130s. The stored information may include GPS location information. The ILR195 can be the repository for the mapping address of the MS130 and the corresponding mapping address of the access point 180 on the WLAN. The MTS can act as an interface for mobile networks 100 and 110. Gateway 190 can be a router that connects network management system 120 to MSC154 via MTS170.

The dual-mode or multi-mode form of the MS130 can be used to operate on two or more different wireless communication protocols, such as the CDMA protocol and other local area technologies (eg, WLAN110). The MS130 acts as a user interface to WAN100 and WLAN110 and may include subscriber identification information, such as CDMA2000 subscription identification (M-ID). It includes information that allows the user to roam in different coverage areas of different technologies, including WAN100 and WLAN110, and an authentication algorithm that confirms the user's identity.

The MS130 may further include one or more algorithms for simultaneous communication with WAN100 and WLAN110. In one embodiment, this simultaneous communication may transmit control signals over WAN100 and data over WLAN110. In another embodiment, simultaneous communication may transmit control and voice signals over WAN100, such as digital, analog, and voice over internet protocols, over WLAN110. In another embodiment, simultaneous communication may transmit some control signals over WAN100, such as call settings and emergency signals, and data, voice, and some control signals over WLAN110. In yet another embodiment, different combinations of signals transmitted over WAN100 and WLAN110 are available resources on WAN100 or WLAN110, such as loading, and other user-defined parameters such as user accessibility and cost parameters. Can be judged on the basis of.

To initiate a session with WLAN110, MS130 may have access to HLR / AC or HLR as it may be configuring a communication session with WAN100. The network management system 120 may transmit identification information, such as a key, token, or other identifier, to the WLAN 110 via the gateway 190 and the MTS 170 to authorize communication between the WLAN 110 and the user. In another embodiment, the identification information is transmitted to the MS130 via the WAN100 using the air interface, which transmits the information to the WLAN110 by the air interface.

When communication is configured between MS130, WAN100, and WLAN110, messages are sent over the air interface between MS130 and WAN100 or between MS130 and WLAN110 during a communication session. can do. In one embodiment, session control messages may be transmitted over WLAN 110 and data may be transmitted over WAN 100. The control signal transmitted from the MS130 over the WAN100 and the feedback based on the control signal transmitted to the MS130 are processed by the BSC148 or MSC154 and then the network management system 120 or WLAN to change the operating parameters. Can be given to radio 180. For example, control signals transmitted from / to the MS130 can be used to increase or decrease operating parameters such as code rate, bandwidth, power level, and so on.

FIG. 2 shows an MS130 configured to communicate with a wireless communication system according to one or more embodiments. The wireless communication system may include core networks 200, WAN100, and WLAN110. The core network 200 can be any network that connects to WAN100 and WLAN110 (eg, IS-41 core network, GPRS IP core network, Evolved GSM core network, IP network, eg Internet). It can perform switching functions and manage MS130 communication access.

In embodiments, the WAN 100 can be an integral part of the core network 200. Similarly, the WLAN 110 can be an integral part of the core network 200. In another embodiment, the WAN 100 and WLAN 110 can be independent networks communicating over the core network 200.

The MS130 may be able to communicate with the WAN100, or various local area networks, such as the WLAN110. The MS130 may include a WLAN communication device 210, a cellular network communication device 220, and a processing device 230. The MS130 may further have a GPS device 240 to enable locating functions.

The WLAN communication device 210 may include 802.11 medium access control (MAC) layers, 802.11 physical (PHY) layers, such as 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, or 802.11n, and radios. The MAC layer may manage and maintain communication between 802.11 stations by coordinating access to shared radio channels and using protocols that improve communication over wireless media. The PHY layer can perform the tasks of sensing, transmitting, and receiving carriers in 802.11 frames, while the radio converts the modulated waveform to a radio frequency of approximately 2.4 or 5.0 GHz.

The cellular network communication device 220 may include a cellular modem such as CDMA and a radio. The cellular modem maps the bits to a waveform, while the radio converts the waveform to a PCS frequency for communication with the WAN100. On the other hand, the processing device 230 can be a microprocessor that performs signaling and packet processing.

In operation, the core network 200 may communicate with the MS130 via a WAN100 base station, eg, BSS140. As part of the communication function, the core network 200 may also provide communication between the WLAN 110 and the core network 200.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a communication method of the MS130 according to one or more embodiments. In one embodiment, the user may choose to receive communication only from a local access network such as WLAN110 or from both WLAN110 and WAN100. The MS130 may be configured to switch communication to the service of WLAN110 or to use the service of WLAN110 in addition to the service of WAN100 (300). The MS130 may use a WAN control channel to send a request to the WAN100 to set up communication with a WLAN110 operating nearby (305). The GPS device 240 of the MS130 may provide location information, such as coordinates, to a base station of WAN100, such as BSS140 (310). The MS130 may send a request to set up communication with the WLAN110 via the BSS140, usually to the core network 200, or to the MSC154 (315).

In some embodiments, the MSC154 may send a request to the MTS170 via a gateway 190 or other network interface. The MTS 170 may then send a query to the network management system 120. The network management system 120 may have a database of registered WLAN 110s for all locations and any particular location. Upon receiving a request from the MS130 to configure communication with the WLAN110, the network management system 120 extracts the required authorization information to communicate with the WLAN110 and via the MTS170, gateway 190, MSC154, and BSS140. The information can be sent back to the MS130. It should be noted that other networking techniques and interfaces may be used, and that the networking techniques and interfaces used are independent of the processes, features, and other approaches described in connection with Figure 3. ..

The MS130 receives this authorization information (320). The request authorization information includes the WLAN Service Set Identifier (SSID), the WLAN operating channel (eg 2.4 GHz channel and channel number, or the 5 GHz band and channel number), and the supported features (eg QoS). , Security, etc.), which may include the use of bandwidth of all available networks within the area (percentage of available bandwidth). The network management system 120 further extracts the GPS location identification information of the WLAN110 network in the area from the WMC160.

The MS130 may then configure communication with the WLAN110 by using the authorization information and choosing to join a particular WLAN110 network within that area (325). The WLAN 110 communicates with the MS 130 via the WLAN radio 180.

The selected WLAN110 network may request other security related information, such as a WEP key or WPA-Pre shared key, for authentication. This information is also requested and received by the MS130 on the WAN control channel and can be provided by the WAN100 via the BSS140, MSC154, gateway 190, MTS170, network management system 120, and WMC160.

In one embodiment, the WLAN 110 can be used to provide additional data, such as image, music, or video content, using Digital Rights Management (DRM). DRM can handle the description, layering, analysis, evaluation, trading, monitoring, authentication, and enforcement of usage restrictions associated with image, music, or video content. The exchange of DRM can take place on a secure channel, eg, a cellular channel.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a communication method for downloading image, music, or video content to the MS130 according to one or more embodiments. After the MS130 has set up communication with the WLAN110 (400), the user can choose to download image, music, or video content (405).

In one embodiment, downloading image, music, or video content may require DRM and access fees. Content providers use WLAN channels for these transactions, which may require the user to provide additional input, such as credit card information and credentials at that time. When the content is partially given, the user may provide this information each time a new part is requested to be downloaded to the MS130.

After selecting the image, music, or video content to download, the MS130 may use the WAN control channel to send a request to the WAN100 (410). The request to download may be sent to the content provider to obtain the control information needed to download the image, music, or video content, such as digital rights and keys (415). When a request to download requires an access fee, the user may securely provide payment information, eg, credit card information, to the content provider via a WAN control channel (420). The content provider can then send the authorization information back to the MS130 to download the image, music, or video content (425).

In another embodiment, the MS130 can use the services of the WLAN110 to set up and give voice calls while maintaining a connection with the WAN100. WAN control channels can be used to receive WAN control messages and signaling.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a handover communication method of the MS130 according to one or more embodiments. After the MS130 sets up communication with the first WLAN110 (500), the user may move around with the MS130 and change his position (505). For this reason, the MS 130 may loosen the connection with the first WLAN 110 when the user exits the coverage area of the first WLAN 110 and moves to the new coverage area of the second WLAN 110.

The MS130 may continue to send position information from the GPS device 240 to the WAN100 (510). WAN100 can use this information to locate other possible WLAN110 networks that it can access (515). The WAN100 may send its query results, which locate other possible WLAN110 networks, and the relevant authorization information back to the MS130 (520).

The second WLAN 110 may be selected based on user preference, bandwidth performance, price, speed, service availability, and available coverage (525). This can be provided by push communication to the user. For example, core network 200 may identify WLAN 110 near MS 130. The core network 200 may send the price and speed information of WLAN 110 to MS130. Based on price and speed information, MS130 users can determine if the use of WLAN 110 is desirable. User preferences can be pre-determined or can be selected for WLAN 110 service availability notifications.

If the user approves the service of the second WLAN 110, the user can receive data, voice, and / or some control signals through the second WLAN 110, while other control signals pass the WAN 100. Sent via. WAN100 can help MS130 handover from the first WLAN 110 to the second WLAN 110. If there is no WLAN 110 network available, the call may be forwarded to WAN 100 instead (530).

In one embodiment, the user can turn on a feature of the WLAN 110 that allows the MS 130 to receive information from the WLAN 110 without specifically requesting it. The WLAN communication device 210 and the cellular network communication device 220 may provide information about the availability of services of different WLAN 110s at the location of the MS 130. The MS130 can generate information based on the available WLAN110 network with which it can communicate.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the decoder 600 of the MS130 according to one or more embodiments. The decoder 600 is part of the processing device 230 and can be used to carry out the method of FIG. The decoder 600 may be attached to the processing device 230 and / or the GPS device 240. The decoder 600 can be implemented by hardware, software, firmware, middleware, microcode, or any combination thereof. The decoder 600 may include a master control module 605 with a first control module 610 and a second control module 615. The first control module 610 can be used to receive and / or process control information from the WLAN 110 during a communication session. The second control module 615 can be used to receive and / or process control information from the WAN 100 during a communication session.

The first control module 610 may be configured to operate according to the 802.11 MAC layer and the 802.11 PHY layer. The first control module 610 may be connected to the WLAN radio 180. The second control module 615 can be implemented in a WAN controller (not shown). Like the first control module 610, the second control module can be connected to the radio.

One of ordinary skill in the art implements various exemplary logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithms described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein as electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination thereof. You will find that it can be done. To demonstrate this compatibility of hardware and software, various exemplary components, blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithms have been largely described above with respect to their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends on the individual application and design constraints imposed on the entire system. Skilled personnel may perform the described functions in a variety of ways for each individual application, but decisions to do so are to be construed as deviating from the scope of this disclosure. Should not be.

The various exemplary logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein are general purpose processing devices, digital signal processing devices (DSPs), and application specific. Application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field programmable gate array, FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination designed to perform the functions described herein. .. The general purpose processing device may be a microprocessing device, but instead the processing device may be any conventional processing device, processing device, microprocessing device, or state machine. The processing device may be a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of DSP and microprocessing devices, multiple microprocessing devices, one or more microprocessing devices associated with the core of the DSP, or any other such configuration. Can also be implemented.

The methods or algorithms described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein can be embodied directly in hardware, software, or a combination thereof. In software, a method or algorithm can be embodied in one or more instructions that can be executed by a processing device. The instructions can be in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disks, removable disks, CD-ROMs, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. .. An exemplary storage medium is connected to a processing device, which can read information from the storage medium and write information to it. Instead, the storage medium may be integrated with the processing device. Processing devices and storage media can be present in the ASIC. The ASIC can reside on the user terminal. Instead, the processing device and storage medium may reside in the user terminal as discrete components.

Previous descriptions of the disclosed embodiments have been provided to allow one of ordinary skill in the art to create or use the present disclosure. Various changes to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art and the general principles defined herein will be applied to other embodiments without departing from the intent and scope of the present disclosure. Can be applied. Accordingly, this disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments set forth herein and is intended to follow the broadest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein. Has been done.

100 Wide area network (WAN), 110 Wireless local area network (WLAN), 120 Network management system, 130 Mobile station (MS), 140 Base station subsystem (BSS) ), 144 Base transceiver station (BTS), 148 Base station controller (BSC), 150 Bypass relay subsystem (BHS), 154 Mobile exchange (MSC), 160 Wireless Mobile Center (WMC), 170 Mobile Transaction Server (MTS), 180 Radio, 190 Gateway, 195 ILR, 210 WLAN Communication Device, 220 -Cellular network communication device, 230 ... control device, 240 ... GPS device, 600 ... decoder.