Method and apparatus for simultaneous communication utilizing multiple wireless communication systems

Method and device for synchronous communication using multiple wireless communication systems

The present disclosure relates to a wireless communication method and device. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a method and device for synchronous communication using multiple wireless communication systems.

Wireless communication devices usually operate in licensed radio frequency (RF) bands or unlicensed RF bands. Wide area network (WAN) providers usually obtain licenses to operate wireless communication systems in one or more of a plurality of licensed RF frequency bands. These systems use methods that allow mobile stations to perform multiple access on a common channel frequency band. These systems usually operate in licensed RF frequency bands. Other systems operate in unlicensed RF frequency bands. The system operating in the licensed RF frequency band controls the transmission in the licensed frequency and channel. This enables the operator to ensure the reliability of the data (and in particular the control information used for the maintenance and establishment of control channels and links). A system operating in an unlicensed RF frequency band does not have such control, and data transmission errors may occur due to uncoordinated transmission of different users and service providers.

One access technology used in WAN is Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), which allows multiple access by assigning mobile stations to different channels in the RF frequency band. Some of these systems use frequency hopping technology in which data is transmitted to and from a given mobile station while changing the channel periodically. Periodic channel frequency hopping occurs at a regular time interval (for example, a frame). The coordinated frequency hopping system uses predetermined hopping patterns or hopping groups, where the hopping groups are kept in harmony among all mobile stations to ensure that signals between two or more mobile stations do not appear on the same channel simultaneously. Uncoordinated frequency hopping does not coordinate with the hopping group between mobile stations, resulting in periodic synchronization signal transmission on the same frequency. This type of synchronous transmission is called channel collision. Data reception errors that occur during channel collisions are called data collisions. Normally, the uncoordinated frequency hopping in this type of system is not used, because channel collisions and resulting data collisions will occur. The FCC has banned coordinated frequency hopping in the Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) band to avoid spectrum aggregation for a single type of service. Systems such as Bluetooth and 802.11 wireless local area network (WLAN), for example, operate in the ISM frequency band.

Another type of WAN is a code division multiple access (CDMA) system, a global system for mobile communications (GSM), or a wide area CDMA (WCDMA) system. These systems use different codes for different users to allow multiple accesses, thereby preventing collisions between signals from different mobile station users.

When compared to systems operating in a licensed RF frequency band, systems such as 802.11 WLAN usually have extremely high data rates. However, when compared with WAN, the possibility of data and control signal collision in 802.11 WLAN is higher.

As the demand for improved wireless communication devices continues to grow, this technology requires a method and device that allows high data rate transmission while preventing signal collisions between different mobile stations.

A wireless communication method for a mobile station may include: receiving a first control signal for a first communication session via a wide area network, and receiving one for the first communication session via a first wireless local area network Data signal. The mobile station can also receive voice signals for a second communication session via the wide area network or the first wireless area network. In one embodiment, the mobile station can also receive a second control signal for the first communication session via the first wireless local area network. In another embodiment, the wireless communication method may further include receiving a voice signal for a second communication session via a second wireless local area network. The wide area network performs the handover operation of the mobile station from the first wireless local area network to the second wireless local area network.

The present invention discloses a wireless communication method at a base station of a wide area network. Receive a first control signal used for a communication session between a wireless local area network and a mobile station at the base station of the wide area network. Subsequently, the base station of the wide area network transmits a second control signal for the communication session between the wireless area network and the mobile station. The second control signal can be transmitted to a network management system, and the network management system then transmits the command corresponding 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 transmission power, bit rate, or bandwidth between the wireless local area network and the mobile station.

The mobile station can achieve synchronous communication with a wide area network and a wireless local area network. The mobile station may have: a first control unit configured to process control information from the wireless local area network during a communication session; a second control unit to process control information from the wide area network of the communication session device ; A processing device, which is configured to generate signal transmission and packet processing; and a GPS device, which is configured to provide position location information. The second control unit can be configured to receive control and voice signals from the wide area network. The first control unit can be configured to receive control, data and voice signals from the wireless local area network.

An embodiment provides a machine-readable medium containing instructions executable by one or more processors. The machine-readable medium may include instructions for processing a first control signal of a first communication session received via a wide area network and data for processing a first communication session received via a first wireless local area network Signal instruction. The machine-readable medium may include instructions for processing a voice signal of a second communication session received via the wide area network, the first wireless local area network, and/or a second wireless local area network. The machine-readable medium may also include instructions for processing a second control signal of the first communication session received via the first wireless local area network.

FIG. 1 illustrates 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. The networks 100 and 110 can be managed by a network management system 120. The WAN 100 may include a base station subsystem (BSS) 140 and a backhaul subsystem (BHS) 150, but other communications between the BSS 140 and a wired network may also be used. The WLAN 110 may include a wireless mobile center (WMC) 160, a mobile transaction (transaction) server (MTS) 170, and a WLAN radio device 180, which is coupled via an Internet connector 190 under the control of the network management system 120 To WAN 100.

The BSS 140 can be responsible for handling traffic and signal transmission between a 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. BTS 144 may also include equipment for selectively encrypting and decrypting communications. In addition, BSC 148 may include control, data communication facilities, and multiplexing/demultiplexing equipment, which are arranged to coordinate the overall operation of base station equipment (including controlling wireless communication links). The BSC 148 may have a plurality of BTS 144 under its control.

The BHS 150 may be a transportation system, which may include a mobile switching center (MSC) 154 with a switching center, power supply, alarm monitoring equipment, and a network database. The network database can include a home location register authentication center (HLR/AC) used in the CDMA2000 wireless communication system, and a check pair service in the GSM wireless communication system (including support for roaming services and program call features) ) Authorized home location register (HLR), or any other database and system used for identification, authorization and statistics dependent on the communication system. The HLR/AC or HLR can also be used to authenticate or authorize users trying to access the WLAN 110 by receiving and processing MAP commands and messages.

The WLAN radio device 180 may be an access point that allows data, voice (which may include packetized voice or voice over the Internet protocol) and some control signals to be transmitted from a mobile station (MS) 130 to the WLAN 110. The WMC 160 can store information on a plurality of WLAN radio devices 180 and a plurality of MS 130. The stored information may include GPS positioning information. The ILR 195 can be a repository for the mapping address of the MS 130 and the corresponding mapping address of the WLAN access point 180. MTS 170 can be used as an interface for mobile networks 100 and 110. The network connector 190 can be a router that couples the network management system 120 and the MSC 154 via the MTS 170.

The MS 130 can utilize dual-mode or multi-mode modes to operate under two or more different wireless communication protocols (such as CDMA protocols and other regional technologies such as WLAN 110). MS 130 can be used as the interface between the user and WAN 100 and WLAN 110 and can contain user identification information (such as the reservation identification (M-ID) of CDMA 2000), which contains the authentication used to confirm the identity of the user Algorithm and information that allows the user to roam in different coverage areas of different technologies (including WAN 100 and WLAN 110).

The MS 130 may also include one or more algorithms for performing synchronous communication between the WAN 100 and the WLAN 110. In one embodiment, this synchronous communication can transmit control signals via the WAN 100 and data via the WLAN 110. In another embodiment, the synchronous communication can transmit control signals and voice signals (including digital, analog, and Internet protocol voice) via the WAN 100 and transmit data via the WLAN 110. In a further embodiment, the synchronous communication may transmit some control signals (such as call establishment and emergency signals) via the WAN 100 and transmit data, voice, and some control signals via the WLAN 110. In yet another embodiment, the signal transmitted via WAN 100 and WLAN 110 can be determined based on available resources such as load on WAN 100 and WLAN 110 and other user-defined parameters such as user accessibility and cost parameters. Different combinations.

To initiate a conversation with the WLAN 110, the MS 130 can access the HLR/AC or HLR. This is because the HLR/AC or HLR may be in a state of establishing a communication conversation with the WAN 100. The network management system 120 can cause identification information such as keys, tokens, or other identifiers to be transmitted to the WLAN 110 via the Internet connector 190 and the MTS 170 to authorize the user to communicate with the WLAN 110. In another embodiment, an air interface may be used to transmit the identification information to the MS 130 via the WAN 100, and the MS 130 may transmit the information to the WLAN 110 via an air interface.

Once communication has been established between the MS 130 and the WAN 100 and the WLAN 110, messages can be transmitted via the air interface between the MS 130 and the WAN 100 or the air interface between the MS 130 and the WLAN 110 during a communication session. In one embodiment, the conference control message can be transmitted via the WAN 100 and data can be transmitted via the WLAN 110. The control signal transmitted from the MS 130 via the WAN 100 and the feedback based on the control signal transmitted to the MS 130 can be processed at the BSC 148 or the MSC 154 and then provided to the network management system 120 or the WLAN radio device 180 to change the operating parameters . For example, the control signal transmitted to/from the MS 130 can be used to increase or decrease operating parameters, such as code rate, bandwidth, power level, and so on.

Figure 2 illustrates an MS 130 configured to communicate with a wireless communication system in accordance with one or more embodiments. The wireless communication system may include a core network 200, a WAN 100, and a WLAN 110. The core network 200 can be any network connected to the WAN 100 and the WLAN 110 (for example, IS-41 core network, GPRS IP core network, developed GSM core network, IP network such as the Internet). It can perform switching functions and manage communication access for MS 130.

In one embodiment, the WAN 100 may be a component of the core network 200. Similarly, the WLAN 110 can also be a component of the core network 200. In another embodiment, the WAN 100 and the WLAN 110 may be independent networks communicating via the core network 200.

The MS 130 may be able to communicate with the WAN 100 or various local area networks such as the WLAN 110. The MS 130 may include a WLAN communication device 210, a cellular network communication device 220, and a processing device 230. The MS 130 may also have a GPS device 240 to achieve a position positioning function.

The WLAN communication device 210 may include an 802.11 media access control (MAC) layer, an 802.11 physical (PHY) layer (such as 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, or 802.11n), and a radio device. The MAC layer can manage and maintain communication between 802.11 stations by coordinating access to a shared radio channel and using protocols that enhance communication over a wireless medium. The PHY layer can perform the tasks of carrier sensing, transmission and reception of 802.11 frames, and the radio device converts the modulated waveform into a radio frequency of approximately 2.4 or 5.0 GHz.

The cellular network communication device 220 may include a cellular modem such as a CDMA and a radio device. The cellular modem maps the bits into waveforms, and the radio device converts the waveforms into PCS frequencies for communication with the WAN 100. Meanwhile, the processing device 230 can be a microprocessor that performs signal transmission and packet processing.

In operation, the core network 200 can communicate with the MS 130 via the base station of the WAN 100 (such as the BSS 140). As part of the communication function, the core network 200 can also provide communication between the WLAN 110 and the core network 200.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the communication method of the MS 130 according to one or more embodiments. In one embodiment, the user can choose to only receive communications from a local area access network (such as WLAN 110) or communications from both WLAN 110 and WAN 100. MS 130 can be configured to switch communications to WLAN 110 services or to use WLAN 110 services in addition to WAN 100 services (300). The MS 130 can use the WAN control channel to send a request to the WAN 100 to establish communication with the WLAN 110 operating nearby (305). The GPS device 240 of the MS 130 can provide positioning information such as coordinates to the base station of the WAN 100 (for example, the BSS 140) (310). Generally speaking, the MS 130 can send a request for establishing communication with the WLAN 110 (315) to the core network 200 or send it to the MSC 154 via the BSS 140.

In some aspects, the MSC 154 may transmit the request to the MTS 170 via the Internet connector 190 or other network interface, and 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 110 in all locations and any specific location. After receiving a request from MS 130 to establish communication with WLAN 110, network management system 120 can extract authorization information required for communication with WLAN 110, and can use MTS 170, Internet connector 190, MSC 154 and BSS 140 transmits this information back to MS 130. It should be noted that other network connection technologies and interfaces can also be used, and the network connection technologies and interfaces used are independent of the processes, functions, and other methods described with reference to FIG. 3.

MS 130 receives such authorization information (320). The required authorization information can include WLAN service setting identifier (SSID), WLAN operating channel (such as 2.4 GHz channel and channel number or 5 GHz channel and channel number), supported features (such as QoS, security, etc.), Bandwidth utilization of all available networks (percentage of available bandwidth). The network management system 120 can also extract GPS positioning information of the WLAN 110 network in the area from the WMC 160.

The MS 130 can then use the authorization information to establish communication with the WLAN 110 by choosing to join a specific WLAN 110 network in the area (325). The WLAN 110 communicates with the MS 130 via the WLAN radio 180.

The selected WLAN 110 network may require other security-related information, such as a WEP key for authentication or a WPA-Pre shared key. Such information can also be requested and received by the MS 130 on the WAN control channel and can be provided by the WAN 100 via the BSS 140, the MSC 154, the Internet connector 190, the MTS 170, the network management system 120, and the WMC 160.

In one embodiment, the WLAN 110 can be used to provide additional data using digital rights management (DRM), such as images, music, or video content. DRM can handle the elaboration, stratification, analysis, evaluation, transaction, monitoring, identification and implementation of restrictions on the use of such images, music or video content. DRM exchanges can occur on secure channels such as cellular channels.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a communication method for downloading images, music or video content to the MS 130 according to one or more embodiments. After the MS 130 establishes communication with the WLAN 110 (400), the user can choose to download images, music or video content (405).

In one embodiment, downloading images, music, or video content may require DRM and access fees. Content providers can use WLAN channels to conduct these transactions, and these transactions may then require users to provide additional input, such as credit card information and authentication information. If the content is provided in parts, the user can provide this information every time a new part needs to be downloaded to the MS 130.

After selecting the image, music or video content to be downloaded, the MS 130 can use the WAN control channel to send the request to the WAN 100 (410). The download request can be transmitted to a content provider to obtain the control information required for downloading its image, music or video content, such as digital rights and keys (415). If the download request requires an access fee, the user can safely provide payment information such as credit card information to the content provider through the WAN control channel (420). Subsequently, the content provider can transmit the authorization information back to the MS 130 to download images, music, or video content (425).

In another embodiment, the MS 130 can use the WLAN 110 service to establish and provide a voice call while still maintaining the connection with the WAN 100. The WAN control channel can be used to receive WAN control messages and signal transmission.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a handover communication method for MS 130 according to one or more embodiments. After the MS 130 establishes communication with a first WLAN 110 (500), the user can move around the MS 130 and change its position (505). If the user moves out of the coverage area of the first WLAN 110 and moves to a new coverage area of the second WLAN 110, this may cause the MS 130 to loose the connectivity with the first WLAN 110.

The MS 130 continuously sends location information from the GPS device 240 to the WAN 100 (510). WAN 100 can use this information to locate other possible WLAN 110 networks that can be accessed (515). WAN 100 can use it to locate other possible WLAN 110 network query results and related authorization information to transmit back to MS 130 (520).

A second WLAN 110 can be selected based on user preference, bandwidth performance, pricing, speed, service availability, and available coverage area (525). This can be provided by pushing the communication to the user. For example, the core network 200 can identify the WLAN 110 near the MS 130. The core network 200 can send the pricing and speed information of the WLAN 110 to the MS 130. Based on the pricing and speed information, the user of the MS 130 can determine whether it is desirable to use the WLAN 110. The user preference can be predetermined or selected based on the announcement of the availability of the WLAN 110 service.

If the user accepts the second WLAN 110 service, the user can receive data, voice, and/or some control signals through the second WLAN 110, while transmitting other control signals through the WAN 100. The WAN 100 can assist the handover of the MS 130 from the first WLAN 110 to the second WLAN 110. If there is no available WLAN 110 network, the call can be passed to WAN 100 instead (530).

In one embodiment, the user can enable a WLAN 110 feature so that the MS 130 receives information from the WLAN 110 without requesting the information separately. The WLAN communication device 210 and the cellular network communication device 220 can provide information about the availability of different WLAN 110 services at the location of the MS 130. MS 130 can generate information based on the available WLAN 110 network with which it can communicate.

Figure 6 is a block diagram of a decoder 600 for the MS 130 according to one or more embodiments. The decoder 600 can be a part of the processing device 230 and can be used to implement the method of FIG. 3. The decoder 600 may be coupled to the processing device 230 and/or the GPS device 240. The decoder 600 can be constructed by hardware, software, firmware, intermediates, microcode, or any combination thereof. The decoder 600 may include a main control module 605 having 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 23 from a WAN 100 during the communication session.

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

Those familiar with the technology should understand that the various illustrative logic blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithms described in the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination of both. In order to illustrate the interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithms have been explained above in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints imposed on the entire system. Those skilled in the art can construct the functions in different ways for each specific application, but such construction decisions should not be regarded as causing a departure from the scope of the present invention.

The various illustrative logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in the embodiments disclosed herein can be constructed or executed by the following devices: a general-purpose processing device, a digital signal processing device (DSP), a dedicated integrated circuit (ASIC), a field Programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processing device can be a microprocessor device, but alternatively, the processing device can also be any conventional processing device, processing device, microprocessor device or state machine. A processing device can also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, for example: a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a combination of multiple microprocessors, a combination of one or more microprocessors and a DSP core, or any other combination This kind of configuration.

The methods or algorithms described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be directly included in hardware, software, or a combination thereof. In software, these methods or algorithms can be included in one or more instructions that can be executed by a processing device. These commands can reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, scratchpad, hard disk, removable disk, CD-ROM, or this technology In any other form of storage media in the conventional knowledge. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processing device so that the processing device can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. Alternatively, the storage medium may be integrated in the processing device. The processor and storage medium can reside in an ASIC. The ASIC can reside in a user terminal. Alternatively, the processing device and the storage medium may reside as discrete components in a user terminal.

The above description of the disclosed embodiments is intended to enable anyone who is familiar with the technology to make or use the present disclosure. Those familiar with the art will easily know various modifications to these embodiments, and the general principles defined herein can also be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown in this text, but to give it the broadest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed in this text.

<p>100. . . Wide Area Network (WAN)</p><p>110. . . Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)</p><p>120. . . Network Management System</p><p>130. . . Action Station (MS)</p><p>140. . . Base Station Subsystem (BSS)</p><p>144. . . Base Transceiver Station (BTS)</p><p>148. . . Base Station Controller (BSC)</p><p>150. . . Backhaul Subsystem (BHS)</p><p>154. . . Mobile Switching Center (MSC)</p><p>160. . . Wireless Action Center (WMC)</p><p>170. . . Mobile Transaction (Transaction) Server (MTS)</p><p>180. . . WLAN radio</p><p>190. . . Network connector</p><p>195. . . ILR</p><p>200. . . Core network</p><p>210. . . WLAN communication device</p><p>220. . . Cellular network communication device</p><p>230. . . Processing device</p><p>240. . . GPS device</p><p>600. . . decoder</p><p>605. . . Main control module</p><p>610. . . The first control module</p><p>615. . . Second control module</p>

Figure 1 illustrates a network system architecture that integrates a WAN network and a WLAN according to one or more embodiments;

Figure 2 illustrates a mobile station configured to communicate with multiple wireless communication systems in accordance with one or more embodiments;

Figure 3 is a flow chart showing a communication method for the mobile station according to one or more embodiments;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a communication method for downloading multimedia data (such as images, music, or video content) to a mobile station according to one or more embodiments;

Figure 5 is a flow chart showing a communication method for the mobile station according to one or more embodiments; and

Figure 6 is a block diagram of a decoder for a mobile station according to one or more embodiments.