Method, apparatus and medium for broadcast services in a communication system

The present invention generally relates to the field of communication, and more particularly to communication of a broadcast communication service in a communication system.

In wireless communication systems, unnecessary and excessive transmission by a user interferes with other users in addition to reducing system capacity. Unnecessary and excessive transmission occurs by requesting the transmission of unnecessary data in a communication system. Systems for broadcast communication applications require the use of specific broadcast communication parameters. The mobile station requests the transmission of such a broadcast communication parameter from the supply base station before receiving the broadcast communication service. Such broadcast parameters include broadcast modulation format information, data rate information, encryption key information, coding information, broadcast channel frequency information, and other similar types of information. A common broadcast communication controller may control several base stations. For this reason, mobile stations do not need to request retransmission of broadcast communication parameters as long as they are within the receivable area of these base stations. However, when the mobile station moves into the receivable area of the new base station, the mobile station is informed whether the new base station is using the same broadcast control unit or a different broadcast control unit. There is no reliable way to judge. Therefore, the mobile station requires the transmission of broadcast communication parameters each time it moves to the receivable area of a new base station. Requests and receptions for transmission of broadcast parameters interrupt the broadcast communication service performed at the mobile station, resulting in unnecessary and excessive transmission in the communication system.

<p> Therefore, methods, devices, and systems for updating mobile station broadcast parameters for broadcast communication services in communication systems are needed.</p>

<p> Provide methods, devices, and systems for efficient use of communication resources that provide broadcast communication services in communication systems. The receiver receives the identification of the first broadcast communication control device from the first base station and the identification of the second broadcast communication control device from the second base station. The controller connected to the receiver determines whether the identification of the first and second broadcast controller is associated with the use of a common set of broadcast parameters. When the identification of the first and second broadcast controller is not associated with the use of a common set of broadcast parameters, the transmitter requests the transmission of a new set of broadcast parameters. Send. After receiving the new set of broadcast parameters, the receiver uses the new set of broadcast parameters to receive the broadcast service.</p><p> Incorporating the detailed description provided separately with the drawings identifying the same reference numerals as a whole will reveal more of the features, objectives, and advantages of the invention.</p>

Overall, it provides innovative and improved systems, methods, and equipment for efficient use of the communication resources of broadcast communication services in communication systems. According to various aspects of the invention, a set of broadcast communication parameters is associated with one or more broadcast communication controllers. When the first broadcast control device is used via the first base station, while the second base station identifies the second broadcast control device, the first and second broadcasts are broadcast. The process of determining whether the identification of the communication control device is associated with a common set of broadcast communication parameters begins. According to various aspects of the present invention, when the identification of the first and second broadcast communication control devices is not associated with a common set of broadcast communication parameters, a new set of broadcast communication parameters The request for transmission is started. One or more exemplary embodiments described herein are shown in connection with a digital radio data communication system. Although effective for use in this context, different embodiments of the invention may be incorporated into different environments or configurations. Generally, the various systems described therein are formed using software-controlled processors, integrated circuits, or discrete logic. Data, instructions, commands, information, signals, symbols, and chips referenced throughout the application are conveniently represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, light fields or particles, or a combination thereof. Is. In addition, the blocks shown in each block diagram represent hardware or method steps.

More specifically, various embodiments of the present invention are incorporated into wireless communication systems operating according to code division multiple access (CDMA) technology. CDMA technology is disclosed and described in various standards issued by the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) and other standards-setting bodies. Such standards include the TIA / EIA-95 standard, the TIA / EIA-IS-2000 standard, the IMT-2000 standard, the UMTS and WCDMA standards, all of which are taken as references. The data communication system is also described in detail in the "TIA / EIA / IS-856 cdma2000 High Rate Packet Data Air Interface Specification" which is taken up as a reference. A copy of the standard is TIA (Standards and Technology Department, 2500 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22201, Obtained by contacting the United States of America). The standards commonly identified as the UMTS standards referenced in this are obtained by contacting the 3GPP Support Office (650 Route des Lucioles-Sophia Antipolis, Valbonne-France).

FIG. 1 shows an overall block diagram of communication system 100, which can operate according to a code division multiple access (CDMA) communication system, while the various variations of the invention. Embodiments can be incorporated. In the communication system 100, voice and / or data are communicated. In general, communication system 100 includes a base station (BS) 101, where BS 101 is between a number of mobile stations, such as mobile stations 102-104, as well as mobile stations 102-104 and the public. Provides a communication link between the exchange phone and the data network 105. If not deviating from the main technical scope and various features of the present invention, in FIG. 1, the mobile station is a data access terminal (AT) and the base station is a data access network (access network,). It is called AN). Base station 101 includes a number of components such as a base station controller and a base transceiver system. Such components are not shown for brevity. Base station 101 may also communicate with other base stations, such as base station 160. A mobile exchange (not shown) controls various modes of operation of communication system 100 in relation to bypass relay 199 between network 105, base station 101, and 160.

The base station 101 communicates with each mobile station in the receivable area by the forward link signal transmitted from the base station 101. The forward link signals addressed to the mobile stations 102 to 104 are summed to form the forward link signal 106. Forward links carry a number of different forward link channels. Each of the mobile stations 102 to 104 that has received the forward link signal 106 decodes the forward link signal 106 and extracts the information addressed to the user. The base station 160 also communicates with a mobile station in its receivable area by means of a forward link signal transmitted from the base station 160. Mobile stations 102-104 communicate with base stations 101 and 160 via corresponding reverse links. Each reverse link is maintained by a reverse link signal, such as reverse link signals 107-109 of mobile stations 102-104, respectively. The reverse link signals 107 to 109 may be addressed to one base station but may be received at other base stations.

Base stations 101 and 160 may communicate at the same time as a common mobile station. For example, when the mobile station 102 is close to the base stations 101 and 160, communication with both the base stations 101 and 160 can be maintained. In the forward link, the base station 101 transmits the forward link signal 106, and the base station 160 transmits the forward link signal 161. In the reverse link, the mobile station 102 transmits with the reverse link signal 107, and the reverse link signal 107 is received by both base stations 101 and 160. To send a data packet to mobile station 102, select one of base stations 101 and 160 to send the data packet to mobile station 102. In the reverse link, both base stations 101 and 160 attempt to decode the traffic data transmission from mobile station 102. The data rates and power levels of the reverse and forward links are maintained depending on the channel state between the base station and the mobile station.

The communication system 100 also provides a broadcast communication service to the mobile station. Broadcasting services include receiving video or audio broadcasted by base stations 101 and 160. In another example, weather or traffic information is broadcast to the mobile station. In a broadcast communication system, the same signal is sent to a large number of mobile stations at the same time. The broadcast communication signal is encrypted. Therefore, mobile stations need to register by signature for such services. The mobile station needs to obtain the encrypted information from the base station before receiving the service. In addition, the mobile station needs to receive other broadcast parameters in order to receive the broadcast service. Broadcast communication parameters include broadcast communication channel identifier, broadcast communication modulation format information, data rate information, encryption key information, coding information, broadcast communication channel frequency information, encryption and decryption key information, header compression information, And other similar types of information. The broadcast communication service is controlled by the broadcast communication control device. The broadcast communication control device performs broadcast communication programming, transmission, and control of the broadcast communication service. The broadcast communication controller also provides the broadcast communication parameters described above to the authorized mobile station. The broadcast communication controller confirms whether the mobile station has signed and registered the requested broadcast communication service before giving the broadcast communication parameters.

The communication system 100 has one or more broadcast communication control devices. For example, in one embodiment, base stations 101 and 160 use a common broadcast communication controller 153. A common set of broadcast communication parameters is given to base stations 101, 160 and mobile stations within the receivable area of base stations 101 and 160. According to various aspects of the invention, base stations 101 and 160 transmit identification of the broadcast communication controller. When the mobile station roams into the receivable area of the base station, it receives the identification of the broadcast communication controller. The identification of the broadcast communication controller is transmitted periodically by the base station or at the request of the mobile station. In another embodiment, the identification of the broadcast communication controller is included along with other information that the mobile station normally obtains from the base station when it roams into the receivable area of the new base station. The various interoperability standards incorporated therein provide one or more ways for a mobile station to exchange information as it roams into a new receivable area.

In another embodiment, in communication system 100, base station 101 may use broadcast communication control device 151, and base station 160 may use different broadcast communication control device 152. The broadcast communication parameters used by the broadcast communication controllers 151 and 152 may differ. Therefore, the identification of the broadcast communication controller received from base stations 101 and 160 is not associated with a common set of broadcast communication parameters. Therefore, when the mobile station roams from the receivable area of base station 101 into the receivable area of base station 160, it must receive a new set of broadcast communication parameters associated with the broadcast controller 152. is there.

Referring to FIG. 2, the flowchart 270 shows that in communication system 100, a mobile station roaming from a receivable area of a first base station to a receivable area of a second base station according to various aspects of the present invention. It outlines some of the steps taken by efficiently receiving and modifying broadcast communication parameters in order to receive broadcast communication services. In step 271, a mobile station such as mobile station 102 roaming from the receivable area of base station 101 to the receivable area of base station 160, for example, from a first base station such as base station 101. Receives the identification of 1 broadcast communication controller. In step 272, the mobile station receives the identification of the second broadcast communication controller from a second base station, such as base station 160. The identification of the first broadcast communication control device is associated with the broadcast communication control device 151, and the identification of the second broadcast communication control device is associated with the broadcast communication control device 152. In step 273, the mobile station determines whether the identification of the first and second broadcast controller is associated with a common broadcast parameter. In one embodiment, broadcast communication controllers 151 and 152 use the same parameters. In another embodiment, the identification of the first and second broadcast controller is associated with the common broadcast controller 153 used by both base stations 101 and 160. Therefore, in step 274, the mobile station continues to use the same broadcast communication parameters to receive the broadcast communication service. When the identification of the first and second broadcast controller is not associated with a common broadcast parameter, in step 275, the mobile station is the first, such as broadcast controller 152, for example. Request the transmission of a new set of broadcast communication parameters from the broadcast communication controller in 2. The parameters are transmitted by a second base station, such as base station 160. In step 276, the mobile station receives a new set of broadcast parameters and uses the new set of broadcast parameters.

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of the transmitter 300 for transmitting reverse and forward link signals. Transmitter 300 is used to transmit basic channels, control channels, auxiliary channels, and broadcast communication channels. The data of the broadcast communication channel for transmission is input to the modulator 301 for modulation. Modulation follows any of the commonly known modulation techniques, such as QAM, PSK, or BPSK. The data in the broadcast channel for transmission passes through one or more coding layers before modulation. The modulated data rate is selected by the data rate and power level selector 303. The choice of data rate may be based on feedback information received from the destination or may be fixed for each broadcast channel. In the case of feedback, the data rate is very often based on the channel state, among other possible factors. Therefore, the data rate and power level selector 303 selects the data rate in the modulator 301. The output of the modulator 301 is amplified in the block 302 through a signal diffusion process for transmission from the antenna 304. The data rate and power level selector 303 also selects the power level with respect to the amplification level of the transmitted signal. At the receiving destination, the transmitted data can be appropriately decoded by the combination of the selected data rate and the power level. Also, in block 307, a pilot signal is generated. The pilot signal is amplified to the appropriate level at block 307. The power level of the pilot signal depends on the channel state at the receiver. The pilot signal is combined with the channel signal at synthesizer 308. The combined signal is amplified by the amplifier 309 and transmitted from the antenna 304. Antenna 304 has any number of combinations, including antenna arrays and multiple input multiple output configurations. The selected modulation, data rate, and coding techniques for the transmission of the broadcast channel data are indicated by the broadcast controller. Follow the broadcast communication parameters. For example, when the base station 101 incorporating the transmitter 300 transmits the broadcast communication channel and the broadcast communication control device 151 controls the broadcast communication information, the broadcast communication parameter of the broadcast communication control device 151 Is used in transmitter 300 for transmission of broadcast communication channels. Therefore, the modulation, data rate, and coding techniques selected are three of the broadcast parameters that need to be communicated to the mobile station within the set of broadcast parameters.

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of a receiver 200 used to process and demodulate a received CDMA signal while operating according to various aspects of the invention. The receiver 200 is used to decode the information on the reverse and forward link signals. The receiver 200 is used to decode information on the underlying channel, control channel, auxiliary channel, and broadcast communication channel. The received (Rx) sample is stored in RAM 204. Received samples are radio frequency / intermediate frequency, RF / IF) Produced by system 290 and antenna system 292. The RF / IF system 290 and the antenna system 292 include one or more components that receive a large number of signals and RF / IF process the received signals in order to utilize the received diversity gain. Many received signals are propagated through different propagation paths from a common source. Antenna system 292 receives the RF signal and sends the RF signal to RF / IF system 290. The RF / IF system 290 may be a conventional RF / IF receiver. The received RF signal is filtered, down-converted, digitized and formed into an RX sample of baseband frequency. The sample is a multiplexer (multiplexer, It is supplied to mux) 252. The output of mux252 is supplied to the searcher device 206 and the finger element 208. The searcher device 206 is connected to the control system 210. The finger element 208 is connected to the synthesizer 212, and the synthesizer 212 is connected to the decoder 214. The control system 210 may be a software-controlled microprocessor, which may be located on the same integrated circuit or on different integrated circuits. The decoding function of decoder 214 follows a turbo decoder or other suitable decoding algorithm. The signal transmitted from the source is encoded using several code layers. Therefore, the decoder 214 decodes the received sample according to such a code. The decoder 214 performs a decoding function according to the coding information received in the broadcast communication parameter.

During operation, the received sample is fed to mux252. The mux252 supplies the sample to the searcher device 206 and the finger element 208. The control device 210 is configured such that the finger element 208 demodulates the received signal with different time lags and back-spreads the received signal based on the search result from the searcher device 206. The demodulation result is combined and sent to 212 and the decoder 214. The demodulation function is performed according to the modulation information received in the broadcast communication parameter. The decoder 214 decodes the data and outputs the decoded data. Channel despreading is generated by multiplying the received sample with the complex conjugate of the PN series, assigning a Walsh function in one timing hypothesis, and often using an integration and dump accumulator circuit (not shown). This is done by applying a digital filter to the sample. Such techniques are generally known in the art. The receiver 200 is used in the receiver portion of the base stations 101 and 160 for processing the received reverse link signal from the mobile station and the receiver portion of the mobile station for processing the received forward link signal. Will be done.

FIG. 5 shows an overall view of the transceiver system 500, which incorporates a receiver 200 and a transmitter 300 and includes a communication link with the destination, including receiving a broadcast communication channel. To maintain. The transceiver 500 may be embedded in a mobile station or in a base station. Processor 401 is connected to receiver 200 and transmitter 300 to process received data and transmitted data. Although the receiver 200 and the transmitter 300 are shown separately, various aspects of the receiver 200 and the transmitter 300 may be common. In one embodiment, the receiver 200 and the transmitter 300 share a common local oscillator and a common antenna system for receiving and transmitting RF / IF. Transmitter 300 receives the transmitted data on input 405. The transmission data processing block 403 prepares data for transmission on the transmission channel. When the transmit channel is a broadcast channel, the processing of the data follows the broadcast parameters used by the transceiver 500. The received data is decoded by the decoder 214 and then received by the processor 401 at input 404. The received data is processed in the received data processing block 402 in the processor 401. When the receiving channel is a broadcast channel, the processing of the received broadcast data follows the broadcast parameters used by the transmitter to transmit the broadcast channel. The various operations of processor 401 are integrated in one or more processing units. The transceiver 500 may be connected to another device. The transceiver 500 may be an integral part of another device. The device is a computer or operates like a computer. The device may be connected to a data network such as the Internet. If the transceiver 500 is built into the base station, the base station is connected to a network such as the Internet by several connections.

Processing of received data generally involves checking for errors in the received data packet. For example, when the received data packet contains an unacceptable level of error, the received data processing block 402 sends an instruction requesting retransmission of the data packet to the transmitting data processing block 403. The request is sent on the transmit channel. However, in the broadcast channel, the operation of the receiver does not include a retransmission request. Broadcast communication services include sending video from a base station and playing the same video on a mobile station. Broadcast communication channel data is transmitted as one block of data at a time. Therefore, the received data storage block 480 accumulates the data received in each data frame and reconstructs the data block for reproducing the video of the broadcast communication service in the mobile station.

A broadcast communication controller, such as any of the broadcast controller 151, 152, and 153, controls the broadcast service of a number of base stations in a communication system. A set of base stations forms a subnet of base stations. The base station transmits the subnet identifier to the mobile station. The subnet identifier identifies the subnet. All base stations in the subnet are serviced by the same broadcast controller. According to various aspects of the invention, subnet identifications sent from each base station within a subnet indicate that they belong to a common subnet. Therefore, mobile stations use the same broadcast communication parameters for broadcast communication services when roaming between base stations on the subnet. According to various aspects of the invention, the mobile station referred to in step 273 of FIG. 2, but the first and second base stations have a common subnet with a common broadcast control unit, and therefore common. Identification of the broadcast communication controller and determination of whether or not it belongs to a common broadcast communication parameter. Therefore, when the first and second base stations belong to a common subnet, the mobile station uses the same broadcast communication parameters for the broadcast communication service. When the first and second base stations belong to different subnets, in steps 275 and 276, the mobile station requests and receives a new set of broadcast communication parameters.

In addition, in another exemplary embodiment, several subnets are controlled by a common broadcast control unit. With reference to FIG. 6, a subnet configuration 600 of an exemplary communication system is shown. The broadcast communication controller 610 controls the broadcast communication service of all base stations in subnet 601 and subnet 602. The broadcast communication controller 620 controls the broadcast communication service of all base stations in the subnet 603. Therefore, if the mobile station determines that the base station belongs to a different subnet, the mobile station, the base station, or both determine whether the mobile station requires a new set of broadcast communication parameters. Communication to determine if a new set of broadcast parameters is needed is by communication of several messages. For example, a base station determines whether the subnet of the previous base station and the subnet of the current base station are serviced by the same broadcast controller. A base station can perform this function by maintaining a list of other subnets serviced by the broadcast controller servicing this base station. In another embodiment, either the base station or the broadcast controller sends a list of subnets controlled by a common broadcast controller to the mobile station. The list may also be an identifier that identifies a member of the base station for each subnet. This list of subnets is sent to the mobile station along with the broadcast parameters. When a mobile station enters the receivable area of a base station that belongs to a different subnet, it checks to see if the new subnet is in the list of subnets controlled by the current broadcast controller. When included, the mobile station continues to use the current broadcast parameters. Otherwise, the mobile station requests a new set of broadcast parameters from the new broadcast controller. Since the list of subnets is so large, the broadcast controller gives the mobile station only a partial list of subnets controlled by the broadcast controller. This list is for mobile stations Is updated when you move to the edge of a subnet that is in the current list. In another embodiment, the information is encoded by indicating a series of consecutive subnet identification numbers. Therefore, the message includes the first and last subnet identification (or base station identification number) of a series of consecutive subnet (or base station) identification numbers. In another embodiment, the mobile station enters the receivable area of the base station in a subnet controlled by a different broadcast communication controller, so that the base station bordering the receivable area has a broadcast parameter. Send a message indicating that you need to request a new pair of. In such a case, the mobile station moves from the base station of the first subnet controlled by the first broadcast communication controller to another of the second subnet controlled by the second broadcast communication controller. When roaming to the base station, a request for transmission of the broadcast communication parameter associated with the second broadcast communication parameter is sent to the second base station. The broadcast channel sends encrypted data to prevent unauthorized users from using the broadcast service. The user identity module (UIM) 499 shown in FIG. 5 contains user-specific information including an encryption key. The two parent applications (Method and MFP for Security in a Data Processing System) filed under assigned serial numbers 09 / 933,972 and 10 / 233,188 and transferred to the assignee of this application are: Various embodiments of the encrypted communication taken up as a reference in this are shown in detail. UIM499 is associated with a particular user and primarily to ensure that the mobile station incorporating the transceiver 500 has privileges granted to the user, such as access to a mobile telephone network. used. Therefore, the user is associated with the UIM499, not the mobile station. The same user may be associated with many UIM499s.

Broadcast communications services face the problem of deciding how to distribute keys to subscribed users. In order to decrypt the broadcast content at a particular time, the mobile station must know the current decryption key that is valid in the current subnet. Decryption keys should be changed frequently (eg, every minute) to avoid service theft. These decryption keys are called short-term keys (SK). The SK is obtained from the broadcast communication access key stored in the UIM. The list of subnets controlled by the broadcast communication controller is stored in the UIM together with the broadcast communication access key. The mobile station needs to obtain the broadcast communication access key in the set of broadcast communication parameters from the broadcast communication controller. The UIM receives the identifier of the current subnet along with the request to calculate the SK. UIM checks whether the broadcast access key is valid in the current subnet. If the broadcast access key is not valid in the current subnet, the UIM sends an instruction to start the process of obtaining a new key from the new broadcast controller and continues to receive the broadcast service.

To those skilled in the art, various exemplary logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithmic steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein are electronic hardware, computer software, or both. You can also see that it is executed as a combination of. To demonstrate this compatibility between hardware and software, various exemplary components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been outlined above in terms of functionality. Whether such a function is performed as hardware or software depends on the individual application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. A skilled person may perform the above functions in different ways for each individual application, but it should be construed that such a decision to perform would deviate from the technical scope of the invention. Absent. The various exemplary logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein are general purpose processors, digital signal processors (digital signal processors). DSP), application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic equipment, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, Alternatively, it is configured or performed in a combination designed to perform the functions described therein. The general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but instead may be a conventional processor, control unit, microcontrol unit, or state machine. Processors run in a combination of computers, eg, a combination of one DSP and one microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors and one DSP core, or other such configurations. To.

The steps of methods or algorithms described in relation to the embodiments disclosed herein are embodied directly in hardware, in software modules executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two. Software modules are in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disks, removable disks, CD-ROMs, or other forms of storage media known in the art. You may. When an exemplary storage medium is connected to the processor, the processor can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. Instead, the storage medium may be integrated with the processor. The processor and storage medium may be in the ASIC. The ASIC may be in the user terminal. Instead, the processor and storage medium may be in the user terminal as discrete components.

The preferred embodiments described above are given to allow those skilled in the art to create or use the present invention. Various modifications of these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles set forth therein will be applied to other embodiments without the use of the power of the invention. May be good. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments presented herein, but is intended to follow the broadest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed therein.

<figref num="1">The figure which shows the communication system which can provide the broadcast communication service according to various embodiments of this invention.</figref><figref num="2">The figure which shows the flowchart of the various steps used to obtain and update the broadcast communication parameter of a mobile station for the broadcast communication service according to various aspects of the present invention.</figref><figref num="3">The figure which shows the transmitter which can operate according to various aspects of this invention for a broadcast communication service.</figref><figref num="4">The figure which shows the receiver which can operate according to various aspects of this invention for a broadcast communication service.</figref><figref num="5">The figure which shows the transceiver system which can operate according to various aspects of this invention for a broadcast communication service.</figref><figref num="6">The figure which shows at least one configuration of the communication system subnet and the broadcasting communication control device for the broadcasting communication service.</figref>

Code description

100 Communication system, 106,161 Forward link, 107,108,109 Reverse link, 292,304 Antenna, 270 Flowchart, 308 Synthesizer, 309 Amplifier, 401 Processor, 404,405 Input, 500 Transceiver system, 600 Subzone configuration.