Technology For Triggering Groups Of Wireless Devices

Abstract

Technology for triggering machine type communication (MTC) devices is disclosed. One method comprises sending a triggering indication from an MTC server to a plurality of MTC devices using a cell broadcasting service. Another method comprises sending a triggering indication from an MTC server to a plurality of MTC devices using Paging. The triggering indication is configured to initiate a communication between the MTC server and selected MTC devices in the plurality of MTC devices that receive the triggering indication. The triggering indication includes an MTC group identification (ID) value. Only those MTC devices that belong to the MTC group ID value in the triggering indication act on the triggering indication.

Description

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/522,623, Attorney Docket No. P39106Z, filed Aug. 11, 2011, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

[0002] The increasing use of wireless communications has revolutionized the way societies function. A large segment of society in the developed world now has nearly constant and ubiquitous access to the internet along with the ability to communicate. Wireless personal area networks (WPAN), wireless local area networks (WLAN), and wireless wide area networks (WWAN) have been set up to provide the nearly omnipresent wireless access.

[0003] The WPAN, WLAN, and WWAN networks have been designed and set up mainly for human interaction, such as person to person voice calls and person to machine connections to specific servers and/or general connections to the internet.

[0004] As the ability to perform wireless communications grows in ability and complexity, there is an increased use of sensors and other hardware devices that are configured to communicate data wirelessly to other devices. This so called machine to machine (M2M) communication often entails different characteristics of wireless communication relative to those employed by people. For instance, machines may communicate relatively small amounts of data at infrequent intervals, such as once a day or once per week. In addition, the machines don't sleep, enabling them to communicate at any time of day. In some situations, a large number of machines may communicate simultaneously, which can cause network connection problems.

[0005] Accordingly, different design characteristics are needed to allow a large numbers of machines to autonomously or semi-autonomously wirelessly communicate with other machines, while minimizing the impact of the machine communication on wireless networks designed for people to communicate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Features and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent from the detailed description which follows, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which together illustrate, by way of example, features of the disclosure; and, wherein:

[0007] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a cell broadcast service configured to communicate a trigger that includes a group ID value to a plurality of MTC devices in accordance with an example;

[0008] FIG. 2 depicts a flow chart of a method for triggering machine type communication (MTC) devices, in accordance with an example; and

[0009] FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a Node B operable to trigger a plurality of machine type communication (MTC) devices to communicate with an MTC server in accordance with an example.

[0010] Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated, and specific language will be used herein to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] Before the present invention is disclosed and described, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular structures, process steps, or materials disclosed herein, but is extended to equivalents thereof as would be recognized by those ordinarily skilled in the relevant arts. It should also be understood that terminology employed herein is used for the purpose of describing particular examples only and is not intended to be limiting. The same reference numerals in different drawings represent the same element.

Example Embodiments

[0012] An initial overview of technology embodiments is provided below and then specific technology embodiments are described in further detail later. This initial summary is intended to aid readers in understanding the technology more quickly but is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the technology nor is it intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. The following definitions are provided for clarity of the overview and embodiments described below.

[0013] In a third generation partnership project (3GPP) radio access network (RAN) system, the transmission station can be a combination of a Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN) (or Evolved UTRAN for 3GPP long term evolution (LTE)), Node Bs (also commonly denoted as evolved Node Bs, enhanced Node Bs, eNode Bs, or eNBs in 3GPP LTE) and Radio Network Controllers (RNCs), which communicates with the wireless mobile device commonly referred to as user equipment (UE). In a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) having Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) Radio Access Network (GERAN), communication is sent from a base station controller (BSC) to a base transmission station (BTS) to a wireless mobile device referred to as a mobile station (MS).

[0014] A wireless mobile device that is configured to communicate with another machine can be referred to as a machine type communication (MTC) device. The term MTC device refers to a device that is configured to communicate with another machine without the need for human interaction. An MTC device may be as simple as a sensor that is electrically coupled to a wireless transceiver. The wireless transceiver may be configured to communicate with at least one of a WPAN, WLAN, and WWAN. The MTC device can vary from the simple device to a complex device such as a smart phone, a tablet computing device, or a wireless laptop which may be employed for machine to machine communication. The MTC device can include a mobile station, as defined by IEEE 802.16e (2005 or 802.16m (2009) or user equipment, as defined by 3GPP LTE Release 8 (2008), Release 9 (2009), or Release 10 (2011), commonly referred to as Rel. 8/9/10. The MTC device can also include a transceiver configured to communicate using GERAN or other GSM networks. The term MTC, as used herein, is also considered to be inclusive of the term "machine to machine" (M2M), which is considered to be synonymous with the term MTC.

[0015] A downlink (DL) transmission can be a communication from the transmission station to the wireless mobile device (i.e. MTC device), and an uplink (UL) transmission can be a communication from the wireless mobile device to the transmission station (i.e. MTC device).

[0016] MTC devices can be used in nearly any instance when information needs to be collected and or communicated to another source. A few examples include the use of MTC devices in the so called "smart grid" in which additional information can revolutionize the electrical distribution system through the use of collecting and reporting meter information, power delivery and distribution data, and power usage and billing information. Millions of wireless sensors may be deployed that can be configured to report desired data via a WPAN, a WLAN, or a WWAN, depending on the location of the wireless sensor.

[0017] Another example includes the use of wireless sensors in an intelligent transport system, in which wireless sensors can be used to monitor traffic on roads and freeways, to provide logistics data and toll data, and to synchronize traffic signals based on information that is gathered and reported by the wireless sensors in near real time.

[0018] Wireless sensors can also be used in healthcare systems such as hospitals to report critical patient data, weather monitoring systems to obtain a broader, more accurate view of climate conditions, and so forth. The use of wireless sensors is only limited by people's imaginations.

[0019] As the number of MTC devices increase, one challenge is dealing with a large number of MTC devices that all attempt to communicate at approximately the same time. For instance, a large utility company may use MTC devices to wirelessly report a utility usage value for each customer via a WWAN. If a transmission station sends a request for data over a large area, tens of thousands of MTC devices may simultaneously attempt to connect to an RAN and communicate the designated data. Obviously, this can inundate the RAN and potentially keep the MTC devices from reporting.

[0020] One way of dealing with a potential inundation of communication at a RAN from a large number of MTC devices is to divide MTC devices into groups. Each MTC device can be assigned a group identification (ID) value. The group ID values may be assigned by a user or a manufacturer. Alternatively, the group ID value may be based on another value, such as an internet address or media access control (MAC) address. The group ID value may be static. Alternatively, the group ID value may be dynamic, thereby the value can be assigned or changed remotely when it is needed or desired. For example, if a group becomes too large, some members of the group can be assigned to another group to average out the load on the RAN when MTC devices in the groups communicate.

[0021] When each MTC device is assigned a group ID value, a selected number of MTC devices can be designated to communicate at a given time. The communication can involve establishing a connection between the MTC device and a RAN. The communication may also involve receiving data from a RAN at the MTC device or sending data from an MTC device to the RAN.

[0022] For many MTC applications, a poll type model may be used to enable communication between MTC devices and a machine, such as a server designated to communicate with the MTC devices. Such a server is referred to herein as an MTC server. An example of an MTC server may be a server employed by a state transportation system that collects data from and sends signals to wireless devices used to monitor and control a state's transportation infrastructure. In a poll type model, the MTC server can poll the MTC devices to communicate. When a poll type model is used, the MTC devices are typically configured so that they will not communicate without being triggered by the MTC server.

[0023] There are many advantages to the use of a poll type model for communicating with MTC devices. For instance, an MTC user (i.e. a transportation management company) can be in control of communication from the MTC devices. The MTC devices will not randomly access the MTC server. This allows a communication timeline to be designed to reduce the chances of the RAN being inundated with MTC device traffic. Also, for applications where MTC devices typically initiate communications, there may still be an occasional need for an MTC server to poll data from the MTC devices. Accordingly, in one embodiment, a group ID value can be used to trigger selected MTC devices to communicate with an MTC server.

[0024] In one embodiment, a trigger can be communicated from an MTC server to selected MTC devices via a RAN using a cell broadcast service. Particularly, in systems configured to operate based on a GERAN or UTRAN specification, hereby referred to as a GERAN or UTRAN system, a cell broadcast service (CBS) can be used. A cell broadcast service can be configured to communicate a trigger indication to a plurality of MTC devices that includes a group ID value via a RAN.

[0025] FIG. 1 provides one example configuration of a cell broadcast service configured to communicate a trigger indication that includes a group ID value to a plurality of MTC devices 104 via a RAN 102. Each MTC device can include an MTC application that recognizes one or more MTC group ID values. As previously discussed, the MTC group ID value of each MTC device may be static or dynamic. In this example, a communication from an MTC server can be sent on the control plane to a cell broadcast center (CBC) 108 via an MTC Inter Working Function (IWF) 106.

[0026] Reference points in the example MTC broadcast architecture of FIG. 1 include a Tunnel setup protocol (Tsp) reference point and the SGi/Gi reference point. The Tsp reference point can be used to connect the MTC-IWF to one or more MTC servers 104. The Tsp reference point can support the reception of a device trigger request from the MTC server; report to the MTC server the acceptance or non-acceptance of the device trigger request; report to the MTC server the success or failure of a device trigger delivery; and provide congestion/load control information to the MTC server as part of the response to trigger requests. The Tsp reference point can also provide optional security and privacy protection for communication between the MTC-IWF and the MTC server. The Tsp reference point is the reference point an entity outside the 3GPP network uses to communicate with the MTC-IWF related control plane signaling to connect the MTC server with a WWAN network, such as a 3GPP network, including a UTRAN based network and a GERAN based network.

[0027] In this example, an additional reference point is illustrated. The MTCc 110 reference point is defined as being located between the MTC-IWF 106 and the CBC 108. The MTCc reference point is used to send a trigger indication to a large number of MTC devices. The trigger indication can be sent inside a CBS message or a paging message. The trigger indication can include a group ID value to indicate a group of MTC devices that will respond to the trigger indication. This will be discussed more fully below. The trigger indication can also include application specific data.

[0028] In the example embodiment of FIG. 1, the MTC-IWF 106 can perform the functionality of a cell broadcast entity. The MTC-IWF can be configured to format information sent between the MTC server 104 and the CBC 108, including the splitting of a CBS message into a number of pages.

[0029] In one embodiment, the RAN 102 can be configured as a GERAN, wherein the CBC 108 is configured to send messages to a base station controller (BSC) portion of the RAN, which can interpret the messages and send them to a base transceiver station (BTS) of the RAN, as can be appreciated. Commands interpreted by the BSC will result in a sequence of 4 SMS broadcast request messages or 1 SMS broadcast command message being sent to a BTS.

[0030] An SMS broadcast request message is sent from the BSC to the BTS to request the sending of an SMS cell broadcast message. An SMS cell broadcast (SMSCB) information element can be used. The SMSCB information element contains the complete information to be broadcast on the cell broadcast channel (CBCH), including the Layer 2 header that can be used on the radio path. The SMSCB channel indicator information element indicates the CBCH which can be used for broadcasting the data. If this information element is not present then the basic CBCH can be used.

[0031] An SMS broadcast command message is sent from the BSC to the BTS to command an SMS cell broadcast (CB) to be sent. The CB command type of information element contains the command to be performed, allowing the BSC to: request immediate broadcast (i.e. transmit in the next CBCH opportunity); and set the BTS broadcast default mode. The SMSCB message information element contains the actual message to be broadcast on the CBCH. In this embodiment, a maximum of 88 octets of data can be communicated. The BTS is responsible for performing the segmentation, building the block types and padding if necessary. The SMSCB channel indicator information element indicates the CBCH that is used for broadcasting the data. If this information element is not present then the basic CBCH can be used. The SMS broadcast command message can be sent to the BTS, which can segment the message into a sequence of 4 blocks that are each 22 octets long. These segments can be transferred via a base transmission station-mobile station (BTS-MS) interface. In this example, the mobile station can be an MTC device.

[0032] In one embodiment, a trigger message defined over the BSC-BTS interface and the BTS-MS interface can be extended further to carry additional information in a transparent data container. For instance, an MTC group ID value can be included in the transparent data container. The information in the transparent data container, such as the MTC group ID value, can be directly interpreted by the MS (i.e. the MTC device). The MTC device can use this information to determine if it belongs to the MTC group identified by the MTC group ID value. Based on the information in the transparent data container, the MTC device can determine whether or not to respond back to the trigger. Alternatively, the trigger message itself can be enhanced to carry the MTC group ID value that can be used to enable an MTC device to respond to trigger messages containing a selected group ID value. Typically, the MTC device will respond to trigger messages that contain the same group ID value as the MTC device.

[0033] In another embodiment, the transparent data container and/or the trigger message can include a plurality of different MTC group ID values. This allows the MTC server to request communication with devices in more than one group. In addition, one or more MTC group ID values can be attached to another type of message. The MTC device can be configured to read each MTC group ID value in the message and/or transparent data container. If one of the MTC group ID values is the same as the MTC device then the MTC device can respond to the trigger message.

[0034] In another embodiment, the RAN can be configured as a UTRAN. In this embodiment, CBS messages can be sent to the radio network controller (RNC), where the messages can be interpreted. The message can be formatted and sent as a single SMS broadcast command to a UE. The UE can be configured to operate as an MTC device. In a UTRAN system, the CBS messages can be completely transparent to the Node B. No manipulation of data such as a fragmentation of data is performed at the Node B.

[0035] In one embodiment, messages defined over an RNC-UE interface can be extended further to be carried as a transparent data container. As previously discussed, one or more group ID values can be placed in the transparent data container. The information carried in the transparent data container can be directly interpreted by the UE (i.e. MTC device) to determine if the UE belongs to a particular MTC group. Based on that information, the UE can communicate a response to the trigger back to the RNC at the RAN. Alternatively, the trigger message can be enhanced to carry an MTC group ID that can be used to identify a UE belonging to the same group identified by the MTC group ID. Another alternative is to define a new message for group triggering of MTC devices with a new set of action codes in the RAN.

[0036] In both the GERAN and UTRAN, a new control message can be introduced to provide an acknowledgement of the trigger from the CBC back to the MTC server. The acknowledgement can be communicated through the MTC-IWF to allow for formatting of the acknowledgement to a desired format that is usable by the MTC server.

[0037] In another embodiment, the RAN can be configured as a UTRAN or an Enhanced-UTRAN (E-UTRAN) based on the 3GPP LTE Rel. 8/9/10. A new MTC trigger indication can be communicated in a paging message sent by the Node B or the enhanced Node B, herein referred to together as the (e)Node B. A system information block (SIB) can carry an MTC trigger indication and an MTC group ID. The SIB can be referred to as an MTC SIB. If an MTC group ID is included, only MTC devices belonging to the corresponding MTC group may be configured to acquire the SIB. If an MTC group ID is not included, all MTC devices can acquire the MTC SIB.

[0038] In a RAN configured as an E-UTRAN based on the 3GPP LTE Rel. 8/9/10 specifications, the scheduling information of the MTC SIB can be provided in the SIB1. An MTC device can first acquire SIB1 information and subsequently acquire the MTC SIB based on the scheduling information of the MTC SIB that is included in the SIB1.

[0039] In one embodiment, a method 200 for triggering machine type communication (MTC) devices is disclosed, as depicted in FIG. 2. The method comprises the operation of sending a triggering indication from an MTC server to a plurality of MTC devices using a cell broadcast service (CBS), as shown in block 210. The triggering indication is configured to initiate a communication between the MTC server and selected MTC devices in the plurality of MTC devices that receive the triggering indication, as shown in block 220. The triggering indication can include an MTC group identification (ID) value. Only those selected MTC devices belonging to the MTC group (based on the group ID value in the triggering indication) are configured to act on the trigger indication, as shown in block 230.

[0040] The triggering indication can be sent with the MTC group ID value in a transparent data container. The transparent data container can also contain application specific data such as an application ID, application related counters/timer, and so forth etc. The triggering indication with the MTC group ID value can be sent in a short message service (SMS) broadcast command.

[0041] In another embodiment, a cell broadcast service (CBS) is disclosed that is operable to trigger a plurality of machine type communication (MTC) devices. The CBS comprises a cell broadcast center that is configured to communicate with a radio access network and an MTC server through an MTC Inter Working Function (MTC-IWF) gateway. As previously discussed, the RAN can be configured based on a GERAN specification, a UMTS specification, an E-UMTS specification, or another wide area wireless network specification.

[0042] The CBS further comprises a group broadcast reference point that is located between the cell broadcast center and the MTC IWF gateway. The group broadcast reference point is configured to send a trigger indication from the MTC server to the plurality of MTC devices using the RAN. The trigger indication can be communicated using a broadcast communication technique based on the type of specification for which the CBS is configured. The triggering indication is configured to initiate a communication between the MTC server and selected MTC devices in the plurality of MTC devices that receive the triggering indication. The triggering indication can include an MTC group identification (ID) value. Only those selected MTC devices having the MTC group ID value of the triggering indication may act on the triggering indication to communicate with the MTC server.

[0043] In another embodiment, illustrated in an example block diagram in FIG. 3, a Node B 304 is disclosed that is operable to trigger a plurality of machine type communication (MTC) devices 318, 320, 322 to communicate with an MTC server 330 via a core network 325. The Node B can be part of a RAN 302 that comprises a paging module 306 configured to communicate a first system information block (SIB1) to the plurality of MTC devices 318, 320, 322 to provide scheduling information for the reception of an MTC SIB that is broadcast from the Node B 302. The MTC SIB includes a triggering indication that can include an MTC group identification (ID) value. Only those selected MTC devices having the MTC group ID of the MTC SIB act on the triggering indication to communicate with the MTC server. The Node B can be an enhanced Node B as defined by the 3GPP LTE Release 8, 9 or 10. The MTC devices may be relatively simple detectors, depicted in 318, or more complex wireless devices, illustrated as a smart phone UE 320 and a laptop 322. The RAN 302 can be a UTRAN, an E-UTRAN, or a GERAN, as previously discussed.

[0044] It should be understood that many of the functional units described in this specification have been labeled as modules, in order to more particularly emphasize their implementation independence. For example, a module may be implemented as a hardware circuit comprising custom VLSI circuits or gate arrays, off-the-shelf semiconductors such as logic chips, transistors, or other discrete components. A module may also be implemented in programmable hardware devices such as field programmable gate arrays, programmable array logic, programmable logic devices or the like.

[0045] Modules may also be implemented in software for execution by various types of processors. An identified module of executable code may, for instance, comprise one or more physical or logical blocks of computer instructions, which may, for instance, be organized as an object, procedure, or function. Nevertheless, the executables of an identified module need not be physically located together, but may comprise disparate instructions stored in different locations which, when joined logically together, comprise the module and achieve the stated purpose for the module.

[0046] Indeed, a module of executable code may be a single instruction, or many instructions, and may even be distributed over several different code segments, among different programs, and across several memory devices. Similarly, operational data may be identified and illustrated herein within modules, and may be embodied in any suitable form and organized within any suitable type of data structure. The operational data may be collected as a single data set, or may be distributed over different locations including over different storage devices, and may exist, at least partially, merely as electronic signals on a system or network. The modules may be passive or active, including agents operable to perform desired functions.

[0047] Reference throughout this specification to "an example" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the example is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in an example" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

[0048] As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositional elements, and/or materials may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary. In addition, various embodiments and example of the present invention may be referred to herein along with alternatives for the various components thereof. It is understood that such embodiments, examples, and alternatives are not to be construed as defacto equivalents of one another, but are to be considered as separate and autonomous representations of the present invention.

[0049] Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of search spaces, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.

[0050] While the forgoing examples are illustrative of the principles of the present invention in one or more particular applications, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications in form, usage and details of implementation can be made without the exercise of inventive faculty, and without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the claims set forth below.

Claims

1. A method for triggering machine type communication (MTC) devices, comprising: sending a triggering indication from an MTC server to a plurality of MTC devices using a cell broadcasting service (CBS), wherein the triggering indication is configured to initiate a communication between the MTC server and selected MTC devices in the plurality of MTC devices that receive the triggering indication, wherein the triggering indication includes an MTC group identification (ID) value and only MTC devices belonging to the MTC group ID value in the triggering indication are configured to act on the triggering indication.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising sending the triggering indication with the MTC group ID value carried as a transparent data container.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising sending the triggering indication with a transparent data container containing application specific data.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the triggering indication with the MTC group ID value is communicated to a cell broadcasting center that communicates with a radio network controller (RNC) configured to interpret the triggering indication.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising sending the triggering indication with the MTC group ID value in a short message service (SMS) broadcast command message.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising sending the SMS broadcast message using a base transceiver station that is configured to segment the SMS broadcast message into a sequence of 4 blocks that are each 22 octets long for transmission to the MTC device.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising sending the triggering indication with the MTC group ID value using a cell broadcasting service having a cell broadcasting center in communication with the MTC server and a radio access network (RAN).

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising sending an acknowledgement of the trigger indication from a cell broadcast center to the MTC server.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising sending the trigger indication with the MTC group ID value in a short message service (SMS) broadcast request message.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising sending the triggering indication with the MTC group ID value as a paging message sent by a Node B to notify the selected MTC devices that an MTC system information block (SIB) is being broadcast by the Node B.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising receiving the MTC SIB only at the selected MTC devices having the MTC group ID value.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising receiving the MTC SIB at all MTC devices that receive the triggering indication when a null MTC group ID value is used.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising sending the triggering indication from the MTC server to the plurality of MTC devices, wherein the MTC devices are selected from the group consisting of a sensor coupled to a transceiver, a user equipment, a mobile station, a mobile computing device, a smart phone, a tablet computer, and a laptop computer.

14. A Cell Broadcast Service operable to trigger a plurality of machine type communication (MTC) devices, comprising: a cell broadcast center configured to communicate with a radio access network RAN and an MTC server through an MTC Inter Working Function (IWF) gateway; and a group broadcast reference point defined between the cell broadcast center and the MTC IWF gateway, wherein the group broadcast reference point is configured to send a triggering indication from the MTC server to the plurality of MTC devices using the RAN, wherein the triggering indication is configured to initiate a communication between the MTC server and selected MTC devices in the plurality of MTC devices that receive the triggering indication, wherein the triggering indication includes an MTC group identification (ID) value and only those selected MTC devices having the MTC group ID of the triggering indication are configured to act on the trigger indication to communicate with the MTC server.

15. The Cell Broadcast Service of claim 14, wherein the RAN is configured to operate as one of a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) having Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) Radio Access Network (GERAN) and a Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN).

16. The Cell Broadcast Service of claim 14, wherein the RAN comprises a CBC 108 is configured to send messages to a base station controller (BSC) configured to receive a message from the cell broadcast center, interpret the message and send the message to a base transceiver station (BTS) for broadcast to the plurality of MTC devices.

17. The Cell Broadcast Service of claim 14, wherein the triggering indication and the MTC group ID are communicated via one of a short message service (SMS) command and an SMS request.

18. The Cell Broadcast Service of claim 17, wherein the SMS broadcast command is communicated using a base transceiver station that is configured to segment the SMS broadcast message into a sequence of 4 blocks that are each 22 octets long for transmission to the MTC device.

19. The Cell Broadcast Service of claim 14, wherein the triggering indication and the MTC group ID are carried by a transparent data container.

20. The Cell Broadcast Service of claim 14, wherein the CBC is configured to communicate an acknowledgement of the trigger indication to the MTC server.

21. A Node B operable to trigger a plurality of machine type communication (MTC) devices to communicate with an MTC server, comprising: a paging module configured to communicate a first system information block (SIB1) to the plurality of MTC devices via a radio access network (RAN) to provide scheduling information for the reception of an MTC SIB broadcast by the Node B, wherein the MTC SIB includes a triggering indication that includes an MTC group identification (ID) value and only those selected MTC devices having the MTC group ID of the MTC SIB act on the triggering indication to communicate with the MTC server.

22. The Node B of claim 21, wherein the Node B is an enhanced Node B as defined by at least one of the third generation partnership project long term evolution (3GPP LTE) Release 8, 9 or 10.

23. The Node B of claim 21, wherein the MTC SIB is configured to include a plurality of MTC group ID values.

24. The Node B of claim, wherein the RAN is one of a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) having Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) Radio Access Network (GERAN), a Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN), and an Enhanced UTRAN (E-UTRAN).