U.S. patent application number 11/168949 was filed with the patent office on 2006-01-12 for multi-mode interoperable mobile station communications architectures and methods.
Invention is credited to Donald Arthur Dorsey, Carl Grube, Rajendra K. Kosgi, Mahesh Perepa, Rohini Polisetty, Sharada Raghuram, Arnold Sheynman, Kevin Michael Spriggs, Maloor Ramachandra Sreekrishna, Ramesh Sudini, Krishnamurthy Srinath Vijayaprasad.
Application Number | 20060009187 11/168949 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31976037 |
Filed Date | 2006-01-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060009187 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sheynman; Arnold ; et
al. |
January 12, 2006 |
Multi-mode interoperable mobile station communications
architectures and methods
Abstract
A multi-mode mobile wireless communications device architecture
(200) including an application layer (210), a services layer (220)
interfacing the applications layer, a multi-mode layer (230)
interfacing the service layer, and a hardware layer (240)
interfacing the multi-mode layer. The multi-mode layer includes
first and second interoperable radio access technologies, for
example W-CDMA UMTS and GSM/GPRS technologies.
Inventors: |
Sheynman; Arnold; (Glenview,
IL) ; Grube; Carl; (Barrington, IL) ; Kosgi;
Rajendra K.; (Mundelein, IL) ; Polisetty; Rohini;
(Grayslake, IL) ; Perepa; Mahesh; (Hyderabad,
IN) ; Sreekrishna; Maloor Ramachandra; (Bangalore,
IN) ; Vijayaprasad; Krishnamurthy Srinath; (Kamataka,
IN) ; Raghuram; Sharada; (Buffalo Grove, IL) ;
Dorsey; Donald Arthur; (Vernon Hills, IL) ; Spriggs;
Kevin Michael; (Chicago, IL) ; Sudini; Ramesh;
(Palatine, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MOTOROLA INC
600 NORTH US HIGHWAY 45
ROOM AS437
LIBERTYVILLE
IL
60048-5343
US
|
Family ID: |
31976037 |
Appl. No.: |
11/168949 |
Filed: |
June 28, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10228484 |
Aug 27, 2002 |
6914913 |
|
|
11168949 |
Jun 28, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
455/318 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 88/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/318 |
International
Class: |
H04B 1/26 20060101
H04B001/26 |
Claims
1. A multi-mode mobile wireless communications device architecture,
comprising: a services layer; an interoperability entity
interconnecting first and second radio access technologies; a
packet router coupled to the services layer and to the first and
second radio access technologies, the packet router routing packet
data to one of the first and second radio access technologies.
2. The multi-mode mobile wireless communications device
architecture of claim 1, the packet router including first and
second packet protocol entities corresponding to the first and
second radio access technologies.
3. The multi-mode mobile wireless communications device
architecture of claim 1, a radio resource entity coupled to the
first and second radio access technologies, a timing entity coupled
to the first and second radio access technologies.
4. A multi-mode mobile wireless communications device architecture,
comprising: a services entity; a multi-mode entity interconnecting
first and second radio access technologies and the service entity,
the multi-mode entity including an interoperability entity for
transitioning between the first and second radio access
technologies during active calls, the interoperability entity for
reselecting among the first and second radio access
technologies.
5. The multi-mode mobile wireless communications device
architecture of claim 4, a packet router coupled to the services
entity and to the first and second radio access technologies, a
packet router routing packet data to one of the first and second
radio access technologies.
6. A method in a multi-mode mobile wireless communications device
including first and second radio access technologies, comprising:
conducting a communications session with on one of the first and
second radio access technologies; switching between the first and
second radio access technologies during the communications session
without interrupting the communications session under control of a
radio resource component; conducting the communications session
with on the other one of the first and second radio access
technologies after switching.
7. The method of claim 6, controlling switching between the first
and second radio resource technologies using a real-time
coordinator and the radio resource component.
8. The method of claim 6, controlling interrupt processing of the
first and second radio access technologies using an interrupt
processing portion of a timing component.
9. The method of claim 6, conducting the communications session
includes conducting a packet session, switching between the first
and second radio access technologies includes routing packet data
from one of the first and second radio access technologies to the
other of the first and second radio access technologies with a
packet router.
10. The method of claim 9, routing packet data includes converting
the packet data to a protocol corresponding to the radio access
technology to which the packet data is routed.
11. The method of claim 6, conducting the communications session
includes conducting a voice call, switching between the first and
second radio access technologies using the radio resource component
without interrupting the voice call.
12. A multi-mode mobile wireless communications device
architecture, comprising: a services entity; a multi-mode entity
interconnecting first and second radio access technologies and the
service entity, the multi-mode entity including a radio resource
for transitioning between the first and second radio access
technologies; a time critical functionality component coupled to
the first and second radio access technologies.
13. The multi-mode mobile wireless communications device
architecture of claim 12, a packet router coupled to the services
layer and to the first and second radio access technologies, the
packet router routing packet data to one of the first and second
radio access technologies.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation of commonly
assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/228,484 filed on 27
Aug. 2002 with like title, from which the benefits under 35 U.S.C.
120 are claimed, the contents of which are hereby incorporated
herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to wireless mobile
station communications, and more particularly to wireless mobile
station communication architectures with multi-mode
interoperability, for example, communications supporting time
division multiple access (TDMA) based and spread spectrum based
modes of operation, wireless devices having multi-mode
architectures and methods therefor.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Wireless cellular communication mobile stations with
multi-service interoperability will enable communications in areas
served by different communications protocols, otherwise referred to
herein as a heterogeneous communications environments.
[0004] The initial deployment of new communications technologies is
characterized typically by limited areas of new technology service
in contiguous regions served by legacy technologies. In many
countries, for example, the W-CDMA implementation of Universal
Mobile Telecommunications Services (UMTS) will be deployed
initially on isolated islands of service in a sea served by
existing Groupe Special Mobile services (GSM)/Generalized Packet
Radio Services (GPRS) network infrastructure.
[0005] UMTS services will not be offered over substantial
contiguous areas until new technology infrastructure is installed
or until existing infrastructure is upgraded, but this will require
substantial capital outlays by telecommunications services
providers and may not be complete for some time, resulting in a
heterogeneous communications environment in many geographic regions
for the foreseeable future.
[0006] Multi-mode cellular handsets capable of operating in areas
served by emerging and legacy communications infrastructures will
provide users earlier access to the emerging communications
technology and hasten its deployment. Multi-mode wireless
communications devices are also desirable for communications in
other heterogeneous environments.
[0007] Mobile wireless communications devices will require
architectures with multi-mode interoperability for seamless
operation in heterogeneous communications environments.
[0008] The various aspects, features and advantages of the present
disclosure will become more fully apparent to those having ordinary
skill in the art upon careful consideration of the following
Detailed Description with the accompanying drawings described
below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is an exemplary communications coverage area served
by two different communications protocols.
[0010] FIG. 2 is an exemplary multi-mode mobile station
communications architecture.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a more detailed schematic of an exemplary
multi-mode mobile station architecture for GSM and W-CDMA
communications.
[0012] FIG. 4 is an exemplary radio resource coordinator module for
multi-mode communication architectures.
[0013] FIG. 5 is an exemplary mobility management component for
multi-mode communication architectures.
[0014] FIG. 6 is an exemplary data router configuration.
[0015] FIG. 7 is another exemplary data router configuration.
[0016] FIG. 8 is another exemplary data router configuration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] FIG. 1 is an exemplary heterogeneous communications
environment 100 comprising a relatively contiguous GSM/GPRS
coverage area 110 and several isolated W-CDMA coverage areas 120
and 122. The heterogeneous environment of FIG. 1 is typical of the
early stages of deployment of advanced communications network
infrastructure, e.g., a W-CDMA network, in area where an existing
infrastructure, e.g., GSM/GPRS, is already well established. The
exemplary environment 100 is not limited to one served by the
exemplary radio access networks, but may be served more generally
by a heterogeneous network comprising any radio access
technologies, for example, one comprising 3.sup.rd and 4.sup.th
generation communications service and beyond.
[0018] For multi-mode wireless communications devices operating in
heterogeneous networks, for example a mobile terminal following
user route 130 in FIG. 1, it is desirable for the communications
devices to simultaneously monitor cells of the different radio
access networks in idle and active modes to perform cell selection
and handover procedures, including the bi-directional handoff of
radio access bearer services, for example in networks comprising
GSM Base Station Subsystems (BSS) and Universal Terrestrial Radio
Access Network (UTRAN) access networks.
[0019] FIG. 2 is an exemplary multi-mode mobile wireless
communications device architecture 200 comprising generally an
application layer 210 interfaced with a services layer 220
interfaced with a multi-mode layer 230, comprising at least two
interoperable radio access technologies, interfaced with a hardware
layer 240.
[0020] In FIG. 2, the application layer 200, at the top of the
model, comprises generally one or more application subsystems. In
the exemplary architecture 300 of FIG. 3, the application layer 310
includes a single application subsystem comprising an AT command
parser 312, an application manager 314, and, for example, Synergy
applications. The application layer may also include generally
other application subsystems, for example a Java Virtual Machine
and its corresponding applications, among other application
subsystems.
[0021] In FIG. 3, the exemplary services layer 320 comprises a Data
Flow Service Provider (DFSP) 322, a Data Session Service Provider
(DSSP) 324, and Connection Management (CM) components 326. The
application layer interfaces with the services layers and
communications therebetween are performed by function calls, for
example Application Utility Functions (AUF). Communications also
occur within the application and services layers, for example,
between the DFSP 324 and the DSSP 324.
[0022] The multi-mode layer comprises generally an interoperability
entity that interconnects the radio access technologies. In FIG. 2,
the first radio access technology 232 is a GSM/GPRS radio access
technology, which may include an extension, for example EDGE or
EDGE Classic. The second radio access technology 234 is a non-GSM
technology, for example Wideband Code Division Multiple Access
(W-CDMA) Universal Mobile Telecommunications Services (UMTS) radio
access technology.
[0023] In FIG. 2, the multi-mode layer, or engine layer, comprises
generally a common subsystem 236 comprising components shared among
the different radio access technologies, for example mobility
management layer, data router, connectivity components, etc. The
engine layer also includes a time critical functionality control
component 238, which is shared among the radio access technologies,
for example for measurement control, scheduling, cell selection,
etc. as discussed more fully below.
[0024] In the exemplary architecture of FIG. 3, the components
shared by the first and second radio access technologies include
the application layer 310 and the services layer 320. In one
embodiment, several components of the multi-mode layer 330 are also
shared by the radio access technologies, including the mobility
management component 332, the Session Management (SM) component
334, the Radio Link Protocol (RLP) component 336, and other
components discussed further below. In FIG. 3, a Digital Signal
Processing (DSP) component 350 includes generally modulation and
demodulation functionality for the corresponding radio access
technologies, WCDMA and GSM/GPRS in the exemplary embodiment.
[0025] In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3, the architecture
includes a radio resource layer 338 for transitioning between the
first and second radio access technologies. In this exemplary
embodiment, the radio resource layer is shared by the radio access
technologies.
[0026] FIG. 4 is a more detailed illustration of the radio resource
layer 400 comprising a radio resource component 402 including a
state transition component 410 and first and second state machines
420 and 430 for the corresponding radio access technologies. Other
state machines may be included for embodiments that include
additional radio access technologies. The state transition
component 410 generally allocates resources among the first and
second radio access technologies. The state transition component
also maintains current state information while transitioning from
one state machine to the other to enable returning to the current
state if the transition is unsuccessful.
[0027] In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4, the first state
machine 420 is coupled generally to a W-CDMA radio resource entity
(RRC) 440, which includes a W-CDMA message parser 442, a message
builder 444, and a layer configuration controller 446, among other
known functionality elements. The second state machine 430 is
coupled to the GPRS radio resource (GRR)/GSM radio resource (RR)
entity 450, which includes a GSM/GPRS message parser 452, a message
builder 454, and a configuration controller 456, among other known
elements. The radio resource entities 440 and 450 and corresponding
elements are specific to the radio access technologies in the
device.
[0028] In FIG. 3, the radio resource layer 338 communicates radio
resource status and other control information, for example
registration area and NAS system information, PLMN availability,
etc., to a mobility management layer, and in the exemplary
embodiment to a mobility management component 332 thereof, the
functionality of which is discussed more fully below.
[0029] In FIG. 3, a timing component 340 is coupled to the radio
resource layer 338. The exemplary timing component 340 is divided
into a real-time task processing portion 342, and an
interrupt-processing portion 344. The real-time task portion is
coupled to corresponding portions of the radio access technologies
for performing real-time processing, and the interrupt-processing
portion is coupled to the radio access technologies for performing
interrupt processing.
[0030] Time critical radio access technology functionality, for
example, Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) selection, cell
selection and reselection, signal measurement, handover, etc., is
coordinated by a real-time coordinator 343 in the real-time portion
of the timing component. The real-time coordinator reports status
and other information to the radio resource layer 338, and the
real-time coordinator controls switching between radio access
technologies under control from the radio resource component
337.
[0031] For example, during initial cell selection the radio
resource component 337 controls cell selection on the appropriate
radio access technology, for example GSM or W-CDMA in the exemplary
embodiment, commands power measurement and channel synchronization,
commands to read system information scheduled by Radio Resource
(RR) component, and follows cell selection procedure to camp on the
most suitable cell. After finding a cell to camp on, the radio
resource component sends an indication to RR/RRC. If no cells are
found suitable on the desired radio access technology, cell
selection procedure on the other radio access technology is
selected. If no suitable cells are found, an available PLMN list is
sent to radio resource component.
[0032] The timing component also controls interrupt processing, for
example medium access control (MAC) functionality of the first and
second radio access technologies. The W-CDMA Layer 1/MAC
interruption service routine (ISR) functionality includes, for
example, DSP timing, transport to logical and vice verse channel
mapping, etc. The timing component also controls interrupt
processing for the GSM/GPRS Layer 1 MAC ISR, for example Adaptive
Gain Control (AGC), Adaptive Frequency Control (AFC), waveform
generation, MAC procedures, etc.
[0033] Interrupt processing information is communicated from each
Layer 1 MAC ISR to the corresponding radio link control (RLC)
components 346 and 348 of the first and second radio access
technologies and to a DSP 350 via an Micro Controller Unit
(MCU)/DSP interface 352 common to both radio access
technologies.
[0034] FIG. 5 is an exemplary mobility management task layer 500
comprising a mobility management component 510 coupled a GPRS
Mobility Management (GMM), element 520 and to a Mobility Management
(MM) element 530. The GMM and MM components include functionality
blocks specific to the integrated radio access technology, for
example registration, de-registration and location management,
authentication, message building and parsing, etc.
[0035] The mobility management layer interfaces with the radio
resource layer 540, the radio access technology L1-task layer 550,
the GSM Logical Link Control (LLC) entity 560, the Session
Management (SM) entity 570, the MMICM 580, and the DSSP 590. These
interfaces are also illustrated generally in FIG. 3. The mobility
management layer also interfaces with and provides radio access
technology status information to the data router as discussed
below.
[0036] In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3, a data router 360 is
coupled to the services layer 320, and particularly to the data
flow service provider (DFSP) 322 thereof by a bi-direction data
bus. The data router 360 is also coupled to the first and second
radio access technologies, and in the exemplary embodiment to a
W-CDMA Packet Data Communications Protocol (PDCP) 362 and to a GSM
Sub Network Dependent Communications Protocol (SNDCP) 364.
[0037] The data router 360 generally routes data between the
services layer 320 and one of the radio access technologies. In
FIG. 3, the radio resource component 338 is coupled to the data
router 360 by the mobility management module 332, which provides
control information to the data router for selecting one of the
radio access technologies. In FIG. 6, the data router 600 is
configured for routing data from the DFSP 610 to the PDCP 620 for
W-CDMA radio access technology (RAT). In FIG. 7, the data router
700 is configured for null mode, as occurs when the radio access
technology is undefined, and FIG. 8 illustrates the data router 800
configured for routing data from the DFSP 810 to the SNDCP 820 for
GSM radio access technology.
[0038] While the present disclosure and what is considered
presently to be the best mode thereof have been described in a
manner that establishes possession thereof by the inventors and
that enables those of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the
same, it will be understood and appreciated that there are many
equivalents to the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein and that
myriad modifications and variations may be made thereto without
departing from the scope and spirit thereof, which are to be
limited not by the exemplary embodiments but by the appended
claims.
* * * * *