U.S. patent application number 13/451758 was filed with the patent office on 2012-08-09 for mapping multiple services into a single radio bearer in lte and single tunnel gprs.
This patent application is currently assigned to INTERDIGITAL TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Kamel M. Shaheen.
Application Number | 20120201215 13/451758 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39082695 |
Filed Date | 2012-08-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120201215 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Shaheen; Kamel M. |
August 9, 2012 |
MAPPING MULTIPLE SERVICES INTO A SINGLE RADIO BEARER IN LTE AND
SINGLE TUNNEL GPRS
Abstract
In a wireless communication system, a wireless transmit receive
unit (WTRU) adapted to bundle a plurality of services into radio
access bearer (RAB) in an uplink signal and unbundle a plurality of
services from a RAB in a downlink signal. The WTRU is adapted to
communicate with a plurality of services through a communications
tunnel.
Inventors: |
Shaheen; Kamel M.; (King of
Prussia, PA) |
Assignee: |
INTERDIGITAL TECHNOLOGY
CORPORATION
Wilmington
DE
|
Family ID: |
39082695 |
Appl. No.: |
13/451758 |
Filed: |
April 20, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11838619 |
Aug 14, 2007 |
8189628 |
|
|
13451758 |
|
|
|
|
60837534 |
Aug 14, 2006 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
370/329 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 4/00 20130101; H04W
74/00 20130101; H04W 76/10 20180201; H04W 84/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
370/329 |
International
Class: |
H04W 72/04 20090101
H04W072/04 |
Claims
1. A method, implemented by a management entity/user plane entity
(MME/UPE), of providing multiple services to a wireless
transmit/receive unit (WTRU), the method comprising: mapping an
application point node (APN) to an application gateway (AGW);
updating packet data protocol (PDP) context information with the
AGW; inserting an AGW address in the PDP context of the MME/UPE;
sending a PDP address received from the AGW; and activating a PDP
context between the MME/UPE and the WTRU.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving and
validating an attach request.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: selecting the
APN.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: setting up a tunnel
between the MME/UPE and the WTRU.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a PDP
context response that includes any of: a PDP type, a PDP address,
an APN list, a generalized packet radio service (GPRS) tunnel
protocol (GTP) tunnel establish granted signal, or an AGW tunneling
end-point identifier (TEID).
6. A management entity/user plane entity (MME/UPE) configured to
map an application point node (APN) to an application gateway
(AGW), update packet data protocol (PDP) context information with
the AGW, insert an AGW address in the PDP context of the MME/UPE,
send a PDP address received from the AGW, and activate a PDP
context between the MME/UPE and the WTRU.
7. The MME/UPE further configured to receive and validate an attach
request, select the APN and set up a tunnel between the MME/UPE and
a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU).
8. The MME/UPE of claim 6 wherein a PDP context response includes
any of: a PDP type, a PDP address, an APN list, a generalized
packet radio service (GPRS) tunnel protocol (GTP) tunnel establish
granted signal, or an AGW tunneling end-point identifier
(TEID).
9. A method, implemented by a gateway, of providing multiple
services to a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), the method
comprising: mapping application point nodes to a plurality of
services; receiving the plurality of services over a tunnel using a
multi-service bearer and a multi-service PDP context; and
distributing a service of the plurality of services to an
application point node mapped to the respective service.
10. A gateway configured to provide multiple services to a wireless
transmit/receive unit (WTRU), comprising: a processor configured to
map application point nodes to a plurality of services; and a
transmit/receive unit configured to receive the plurality of
services over a tunnel using a multi-service bearer and a
multi-service PDP context and distribute a service of the plurality
of services to an application point node mapped to the respective
service.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a Continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional
application Ser. No. 11/838,619, filed Aug. 14, 2007, and claims
the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 60/837,534 filed
Aug. 14, 2006, the contents of each being incorporated by reference
herein as if fully set forth.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to wireless
communication systems. In particular, the present invention relates
to allocating services to a single radio access bearer and a single
packet data protocol context.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Current Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP)
specifications require that a single Radio Access Bearer (RAB) be
allocated per activated service. A packet data protocol (PDP)
context activation performed in generalized packet radio service
(GPRS) and 3GPP systems is also dedicated to a single bearer
service. Primary PDP context activation performs Internet protocol
(IP) configuration and the selection of an application point node
(APN) associated with session initiation protocol (SIP) signaling.
A secondary PDP context activation is needed for each additional
bearer service. This means that the three-way handshake process
will be repeated over and over for each additional service to be
activated, such as e-mail, streaming, web browsing, and the
like.
[0004] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a radio access bearer and PDP
context architecture in accordance with the prior art. Multiple
RABs 114, 116, 118 are established between a wireless transmit
receive unit (WTRU) 101 and an evolved Node-B (eNB) 108. Multiple
services 102, 104, 106 are running in the WTRU 101. Multiple PDP
contexts 120, 122, 124 are established between the eNB 108 and a
gateway 110. Each PDP context 120, 122, 124 is used to communicate
with a separate application service 102, 104, 106. The gateway 110
routes the individual services 102, 104, 106 to an appropriate
application node. As shown in FIG. 1, service 1 102 is routed to
APN1. Service 2 104 is routed to APN2 128 and service 3 106 is
routed to APN5 130.
[0005] There is a need to simplify the procedure by mapping
multiple services into a single RAB and a single generic PDP
context.
SUMMARY
[0006] In a wireless communication system, a wireless transmit
receive unit (WTRU) is disclosed that is adapted to bundle a
plurality of services into a radio access bearer (RAB) in an uplink
signal and unbundle a plurality of services from a RAB in a
downlink signal. The WTRU is adapted to communicate with a
plurality of services through a communication tunnel.
[0007] Furthermore, a method is disclosed for establishing the
tunnel, and for the WTRU to communicate across the tunnel with a
plurality of applications. The method includes bundling a plurality
RABs operating between a WTRU and a base station, and bundling more
than one service into a single PDP context between a base station
and an AGW. The application gateway preferably unbundles the
plurality of services and connects to a plurality of application
nodes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] A more detailed understanding of the invention may be had
from the following description of a preferred embodiment, given by
way of example and to be understood in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings wherein:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a RAB and PDP context
architecture in accordance with the prior art;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a signal flow diagram of generic RAB and PDP
context activation in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a bundled RAB and bundled PDP
context architecture in accordance with an alternative embodiment
of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a single RAB and single PDP
context upstream architecture in accordance with another embodiment
of the present invention; and
[0013] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a single RAB and single PDP
context downstream architecture in accordance with another
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0014] When referred to hereafter, the terminology "wireless
transmit/receive unit (WTRU)" includes but is not limited to a user
equipment (UE), a mobile station, a fixed or mobile subscriber
unit, a pager, a cellular telephone, a personal digital assistant
(PDA), a computer, or any other type of user device capable of
operating in a wireless environment. When referred to hereafter,
the terminology "base station" includes but is not limited to a
Node-B, a site controller, an access point (AP), or any other type
of interfacing device capable of operating in a wireless
environment.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a signal flow diagram of generic RAB and PDP
context activation procedure 200 in accordance with one embodiment
of the present invention. The procedure 200 includes, at step 201,
a WTRU 202 performs an Attach process to connect to an eNB 204. The
Attach process may include, but is not limited to, generic PDP
type, PDP address, a generic RAB service list, a list of
application nodes (APNs), and a network layer service application
identifier (NSAPI) list. At step 203, the eNB 204 communicates with
a mobility management entity/user plane entity (MME/UPE) 206, and
at step 205, the MME/UPE validates the Attach request, selects an
application, and maps applications to the AGW. At step 207, the
MME/UPE 206 creates a PDP context request which is forwarded to an
application gateway (AGW) 208. The PDP context request may contain
a generic PDP type, a PDP address, a service list, a NSAPI list, an
APN list and eNB tunnel endpoint identifier (TEID). At step 209,
the AGW 208 creates a PDP context response, in order to establish
the tunnel. The PDP context response may contain a PDP type, a PDP
address, an APN list, a GTP tunnel establish granted signal, and an
AGW TEID. At step 211, a tunnel is setup between the MME/UPE 206
and the WTRU 202, including a PDP context and an RAB. The tunnel
setup command may include a mobile station international ISDN
number (MSIDN), PDP addresses and a generic RAB.
[0016] At step 213, a trace between the MME/UPE 206 and the eNB 204
is invoked, and, at step 215, the MME/UPE 206 updates the PDP
context information with the AGW 208. At step 217 the AGW 208
responds to the MME/UPE 206 with a PDP context response. At step
219, the MME/UPE 206 inserts an AGW address in its PDP context. The
MME/UPE 206 also sends the PDP address that it received from the
AGW 208. At step 221 a tunnel is established between the AGW 208
and the eNB 204. The tunnel may be established by the eNB 204 and
the AGW 208 signaling MSIDN, PDP address, eNB TEID and AGW TEID to
each other. At steps 223 and step 225, a PDP context is activated
between the MME/UPE 206 and the WTRU 202.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a bundled RAB and bundled PDP
context architecture in accordance with one embodiment of the
present invention. Two bundled RABs 320,322 exist between the WTRU
302 and the eNB 304. Multiple services 303,305, 307, 309 are
bundled into two PDP contexts 324,326 between the eNB 304 and an
AGW 308. An MME/UPE 306 is in control of both the eNB 304 and the
AGW 308. The AGW 308 unbundles the services 303, 305, 307, 309 from
the PDP contexts 324, 326 and routes them to an appropriate
APN.
[0018] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a single RAB and single PDP
context upstream architecture in accordance with an alternative
embodiment of the present invention. Service 1 403, service 2 405
and service 3 407 are prioritized at the WTRU 402 and communicate
with the respective applications through a single RAB 420 to an eNB
404 and with a single PDP context 422 to an AGW 408. The AGW 408
unbundles the services 403, 405, 407 from the single PDP context
422 and forwards each service to its appropriate application.
Service 1 403 is connected to APN 1 410, service 2 is connected to
APN 2 412 and service 3 is connected to APN 5 418. In this
embodiment, each PDU or SDU preferably contains an indication of
priority.
[0019] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a single RAB and single PDP
context downstream architecture in accordance with another
embodiment of the present invention. Service 1 503 is communicating
with APN 1 510. Service 2 505 is communicating with APN 2 512 and
service 3 507 is communicating with APN 5 518. In the downlink, the
services are prioritized and bundled at an AGW 508 into a single
PDP context 522. An E-node B 504 transmits the PDP context 522 as a
single radio bearer 520 to a WTRU 502. The WTRU 502 then unbundles
the radio bearer signal and processes the multiple services.
[0020] Although the features and elements of the present invention
are described in the preferred embodiments in particular
combinations, each feature or element can be used alone without the
other features and elements of the preferred embodiments or in
various combinations with or without other features and elements of
the present invention. The methods or flow charts provided in the
present invention may be implemented in a computer program,
software, or firmware tangibly embodied in a computer-readable
storage medium for execution by a general purpose computer or a
processor. Examples of computer-readable storage mediums include a
read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a register,
cache memory, semiconductor memory devices, magnetic media such as
internal hard disks and removable disks, magneto-optical media, and
optical media such as CD-ROM disks, and digital versatile disks
(DVDs).
[0021] Suitable processors include, by way of example, a general
purpose processor, a special purpose processor, a conventional
processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a plurality of
microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in association with a
DSP core, a controller, a microcontroller, Application Specific
Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs)
circuits, any other type of integrated circuit (IC), and/or a state
machine.
A processor in association with software may be used to implement a
radio frequency transceiver for use in a wireless transmit receive
unit (WTRU), user equipment (UE), terminal, base station, radio
network controller (RNC), or any host computer. The WTRU may be
used in conjunction with modules, implemented in hardware and/or
software, such as a camera, a video camera module, a videophone, a
speakerphone, a vibration device, a speaker, a microphone, a
television transceiver, a hands free headset, a keyboard, a
Bluetooth.RTM. module, a frequency modulated (FM) radio unit, a
liquid crystal display (LCD) display unit, an organic
light-emitting diode (OLED) display unit, a digital music player, a
media player, a video game player module, an Internet browser,
and/or any wireless local area network (WLAN) module.
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