Method and system for using common channel for data communications

• US 20020055364A1
• Filed: 09/12/2001
• Published: 05/09/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited (Nortel Networks Corporation)
• Inventors: Wang, Chung-Ching, Chang, Kim
• Granted Patent: US 7,245,931 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/466
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/20 Services signaling; Auxiliary data signalling, i.e. transmitting data via a non-traffic channel

Abstract

A method and system is provided for controlling data transfer using a short data burst mechanism between a mobile station (MS) and a base station (BS). After identifying that a short data burst mechanism is desired to be used for transmitting data between the MS and the BS, the data is transmitted over a common channel used for communication between the MS and the BS without having to establish a communication link between the MS and the BS over a traffic channel.

Claims

1. A method for controlling data transfer using a short data burst mechanism between a mobile station (MS) and a base station (BS), the method comprising the steps of:

identifying that a short data burst mechanism is desired to be used for transmitting data between the MS and the BS; and

transmitting the data over a common channel used for communication between the MS and the BS without having to establish a communication link between the MS and the BS over a traffic channel.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of transmitting further includes:

calling the BS by the MS indicating that the MS desires to send the data over the common channel;

transiting a packet data control function module from a null state to a dormant state; and

awaiting an indication from the BS for completing an establishment of a communication link to transmit the data over the common channel.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of transmitting further includes terminating the call by the MS if there is no indication from the BS for completing the establishment of the communication link.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of transmitting further includes calling the BS by the MS again if there is no indication from the BS for completing the establishment of the communication link.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of transmitting further includes responding with a short data burst message from the BS to the MS indicating the establishment of the communication link.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising re-transmitting the data based on an instruction given in a response message sent back from the BS after the BS is aware of the desire of the MS to send data.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the response message is a Retry Order message.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising authenticating the MS by the BS through the common channel.

9. A mobile system (MS) for transferring data using a short data burst mechanism between the MS and a base station (BS), the system comprising:

a processor unit identifying that a short data burst mechanism is desired to be used for transmitting data between the MS and the BS; and

a transceiver unit for transmitting the data over a common channel used for communication between the MS and the BS without having to establish a communication link between the MS and the BS over a traffic channel.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the processor unit further includes:

instructions for calling the BS by the MS indicating that the MS desires to send the data over the common channel;

instructions for transiting a packet data control function module from a null state to a dormant state; and

instructions for awaiting an indication from the BS for completing an establishment of a communication link to transmit the data over the common channel.

11. The system of claim 9 wherein the processor unit further includes instructions for terminating the call by the MS if there is no indication from the BS for completing the establishment of the communication link.

12. The system of claim 9 wherein the processor unit further includes instructions for calling the BS by the MS again if there is no indication from the BS for completing the establishment of the communication link.

13. The system of claim 9 wherein the processor unit further includes instructions for re-transmitting the data based on an instruction given in a response message sent back from the BS after the BS is aware of the desire of the MS to send data.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the packet control function unit further includes instruction for responding, after receiving a first short data burst message from the MS, with a second short data burst message to the MS indicating the establishment of the communication link over the common channel.

16. The system of claim 14 wherein the second short data burst message is a Retry Order message.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein the packet control function unit further includes instructions for authenticating the MS through the common channel.

14. A base station system (BS) for transferring data using a short data burst mechanism between a mobile station (MS) and the BS, the system comprising:

a packet control function unit identifying that a short data burst mechanism is desired to be used for transmitting data between the MS and the BS; and

a base transmission unit for transmitting the data over a common channel used for communication between the MS and the BS without having to establish a communication link between the MS and the BS over a traffic channel.