Apparatus and method for use in paging mode in wireless communications systems

• US 20020090959A1
• Filed: 01/08/2001
• Published: 07/11/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Uppala, Sathyadev Venkata, Laroia, Rajiv, Li, Junyi
• Granted Patent: US 6,816,736 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/458
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0216 using a pre-established activity schedule, e.g. traffic indication frame
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0219 where the power saving management affects multiple terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 68/02 Arrangements for increasing efficiency of notification or paging channel
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

In a unique paging time slot format, each of the allocated paging time slots occurs periodically and is split into several prescribed paging time slots including at least one first type paging time slot having a relatively short duration and at least one second type paging time slot having a longer duration. The at least one first type paging time slots is of relatively short duration and transports an indication whether a particular associated wireless terminal was paged. The second type paging time slot is of longer duration than the first type time slot and transports the entire paging message. Specifically, a wireless terminal that is normally in a standby mode only has to enter a monitor mode, i.e., “wake up”, to monitor the relatively short first type paging time slot to determine whether it has been paged. If it has been paged, the wireless terminal then monitors the longer second type paging time slot to determine if it is transporting a valid paging message for the paged wireless terminal. If no valid paged indication is detected in the first type paging time slot or no valid paging message is detected in the second type paging time slot, the wireless terminal returns to the standby mode, i.e., returns to a “sleep” state, and waits for the next periodic occurrence of its assigned paging time slot.

Claims

1. A method for use in a base station of a wireless communications system including at least one base station and one or more wireless terminals to transmit paging messages comprising the step of:

transmitting one or more paging messages in a paging time slot format including one or more periodically recurring paging time slots to one or more wireless terminals, wherein each of said one or more paging time slots includes one or more of first type paging time slots, and at least one second type paging time slot, each of said first type paging time slots being intended to transport an indication that one of said one or more particular wireless terminals has been paged and an associated second type paging time slot for transporting a paging message for a paged wireless terminal.

2. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said first type paging time slots has fewer bits than said at least one second type paging time slot.

3. The method as defined in claim 2 wherein a plurality of said first type paging time slots is associated with a particular second type paging time slot.

4. The method as defined in claim 2 wherein a separate subgroup of wireless terminals is assigned to each of said one or more first type paging time slots.

5. The method as defined in claim 4 wherein each of said first type paging time slots is intended to transport an indication of any particular wireless terminal in its assigned subgroup that has been paged.

6. The method as defined in claim 2 further including the steps of transmitting an indication that a particular wireless terminal has been paged in an assigned first type time slot and transmitting a paging message for the paged wireless terminal in a second type time slot associated with said first type time slot transporting said indication that said particular wireless terminal has been paged.

7. A method for use in a wireless terminal of a wireless communications system including at least one base station and one or more wireless terminals to receive paging messages comprising the step of:

periodically receiving paging time slots intended to transport paging messages to one or more wireless terminals, wherein each of said one or more paging time slots includes one or more of first type paging time slots, and at least one second type paging time slot, each of said first type paging time slots being intended to transport an indication that one of said one or more particular wireless terminals has been paged and an associated second type paging time slot for transporting a paging message for a paged wireless terminal.

8. The method as defined in claim 7 wherein each of said first type paging time slots has fewer bits than said at least one second type paging time slot.

9. The method as defined in claim 8 wherein a plurality of said first type paging time slots is associated with a particular second type paging time slot.

10. The method as defined in claim 8 wherein a separate subgroup of wireless terminals is assigned to each of said one or more first type paging time slots.

11. The method as defined in claim 10 wherein each of said first type paging time slots is intended to transport an indication of any particular wireless terminal in its assigned subgroup that has been paged.

12. The method as defined in claim 8 further including the steps of monitoring an assigned first type time slot for an indication that this particular wireless terminal has been paged and in response to detecting an indication that this particular wireless terminal has been paged monitoring a second type paging time slot associated with said first type paging time slot transporting said detected indication for a paging message for the paged wireless terminal.

13. The method as defined in claim 8 wherein said particular wireless terminal is initially in a standby mode and further including a step of entering a monitoring mode prior to receiving said paging time slot including said first type paging time slot assigned to said particular wireless terminal.

14. The method as defined in claim 13 further including the steps of monitoring said assigned first type time slot for an indication that this particular wireless terminal has been paged and in response to detecting an indication that this particular wireless terminal has been paged monitoring a second type paging time slot associated with said first type paging time slot transporting said detected indication for a paging message for the paged wireless terminal.

15. The method as defined in claim 13 further including the steps of monitoring said assigned first type time slot for an indication that this particular wireless terminal has been paged and in response to not detecting an indication that this particular wireless terminal has been paged, returning to said standby mode.

16. The method as defined in claim 13 further including the steps of monitoring said assigned first type time slot for an indication that this particular wireless terminal has been paged and in response to detecting an indication that this particular wireless terminal has been paged, monitoring a second type paging time slot associated with said first type paging time slot transporting said detected indication for a paging message for the paged wireless terminal.

17. The method as defined in claim 16 further including a step of in response to not detecting a paging message for this particular wireless terminal in said second type paging time slot, returning to said standby mode.

18. The method as defined in claim 16 further including the step of in response to detecting a paging message for this particular wireless terminal in said associated second type paging time slot, entering an operation state indicated by the detected paging message.

20. The method as defined in claim 19 wherein each of said first type paging time slots has fewer bits than said at least one second type paging time slot.

21. The method as defined in claim 20 wherein said at least one wireless terminal is initially in a standby mode and further including a step of entering a monitoring mode prior to receiving said paging time slot including said first type paging time slot assigned to said at least one wireless terminal.

19. A method for use in a wireless communications system including at least one base station and one or more wireless terminals to transmit paging messages comprising the steps of:

in said base station

transmitting one or more paging messages in a paging time slot format including one or more periodically recurring paging time slots to one or more wireless terminals, wherein each of said one or more paging time slots includes one or more of first type paging time slots, and at least one second type paging time slot, each of said first type paging time slots being intended to transport an indication that one of said one or more particular wireless terminals has been paged and an associated second type paging time slot for transporting a paging message for a paged wireless terminal; and

in at least one wireless terminal

periodically receiving paging time slots intended to transport paging messages to one or more wireless terminals, wherein each of said one or more paging time slots includes one or more of first type paging time slots, and at least one second type paging time slot, each of said first type paging time slots being intended to transport an indication that one of said one or more particular wireless terminals has been paged and an associated second type paging time slot for transporting a paging message for a paged wireless terminal.

22. Apparatus for use in a base station of a wireless communications system including at least one base station and one or more wireless terminals to transmit paging messages comprising:

a generator for generating a paging time slot format including one or more periodically recurring paging time slots to transmit paging messages to one or more wireless terminals, wherein each of said one or more paging time slots includes one or more of first type paging time slots, and at least one second type paging time slot, each of said first type paging time slots being intended to transport an indication that one of said one or more particular wireless terminals has been paged and an associated second type paging time slot for transporting a paging message for a paged wireless terminal; and

a transmitter for transmitting said paging time slot format to said one or more wireless terminals.

23. The apparatus as defined in claim 22 wherein each of said first type paging time slots has fewer bits than said at least one second type paging time slot.

24. The apparatus as defined in claim 23 wherein a plurality of said first type paging time slots is associated with a particular second type paging time slot.

25. The apparatus as defined in claim 23 wherein a separate subgroup of wireless terminals is assigned to each of said one or more first type paging time slots.

26. The apparatus as defined in claim 25 wherein each of said first type paging time slots is intended to transport an indication of any particular wireless terminal in its assigned subgroup that has been paged.

27. The apparatus as defined in claim 22 wherein said transmitter is controlled to transmit an indication that a particular wireless terminal has been paged in an assigned first type time slot and to transmit a paging message for the paged wireless terminal in a second type time slot associated with said first type time slot transporting said indication that said particular wireless terminal has been paged.

29. The apparatus as defined in claim 28 wherein each of said first type paging time slots has fewer bits than said at least one second type paging time slot.

30. The apparatus as defined in claim 29 wherein a plurality of said first type paging time slots is associated with a particular second type paging time slot.

31. The apparatus as defined in claim 29 wherein a separate subgroup of wireless terminals is assigned to each of said one or more first type paging time slots.

32. The apparatus as defined in claim 31 wherein each of said first type paging time slots is intended to transport an indication of any particular wireless terminal in its assigned subgroup that has been paged.

33. The apparatus as defined in claim 29 wherein said receiver monitors an assigned first type time slot for an indication that this particular wireless terminal has been paged and in response to detecting an indication that this particular wireless terminal has been paged, said receiver monitors a second type paging time slot associated with said first type paging time slot transporting said detected indication for a paging message for the paged wireless terminal.

34. The apparatus as defined in claim 29 wherein said particular wireless terminal is initially in a standby mode and is controlled to enter a monitoring mode prior to receiving said paging time slot including said first type paging time slot assigned to said particular wireless terminal.

35. The apparatus as defined in claim 34 wherein in said monitoring mode, said receiver is controlled to monitor said assigned first type time slot for an indication that this particular wireless terminal has been paged and in response to detecting an indication that this particular wireless terminal has been paged, said receiver is controlled to monitor a second type paging time slot associated with said first type paging time slot transporting said detected indication for a paging message for the paged wireless terminal.

36. The apparatus as defined in claim 34 wherein in said monitoring mode, said receiver is controlled to monitor said assigned first type time slot for an indication that this particular wireless terminal has been paged and in response to not detecting an indication that this particular wireless terminal has been paged, said wireless terminal is controlled to return to said standby mode.

37. The apparatus as defined in claim 34 wherein in said monitoring mode, said receiver is controlled to monitor said assigned first type time slot for an indication that this particular wireless terminal has been paged, and in response to detecting an indication that this particular wireless terminal has been paged, said receiver is controlled to monitor a second type paging time slot associated with said first type paging time slot transporting said detected indication for a paging message for the paged wireless terminal.

38. The apparatus as defined in claim 37 wherein said wireless terminal, in response to not detecting a paging message for this particular wireless terminal in said second type paging time slot, is controlled to return to said standby mode.

39. The apparatus as defined in claim 37 wherein said wireless terminal, in response to detecting a paging message for this particular wireless terminal in said associated second type paging time slot, is controlled to enter an operational state indicated by the detected paging message.

28. Apparatus for use in a wireless terminal of a wireless communications system including at least one base station and one or more wireless terminals to receive paging messages comprising:

a receiver for periodically receiving paging time slots intended to transport paging messages to one or more wireless terminals, wherein each of said one or more paging time slots includes one or more of first type paging time slots, and at least one second type paging time slot, each of said first type paging time slots being intended to transport an indication that one of said one or more particular wireless terminals has been paged and an associated second type paging time slot for transporting a paging message for a paged wireless terminal; and

said receiver having a capability for monitoring said first type paging time slots and said second type paging time slots.

40. A wireless communications system including at least one base station and one or more wireless terminals to transmit paging messages comprising:

in said base station

a generator for generating a paging time slot format including one or more periodically recurring paging time slots to transmit paging messages to one or more wireless terminals, wherein each of said one or more paging time slots includes one or more of first type paging time slots, and at least one second type paging time slot, each of said first type paging time slots being intended to transport an indication that one of said one or more particular wireless terminals has been paged and an associated second type paging time slot for transporting a paging message for a paged wireless terminal, and

a transmitter for transmitting said paging time slot format to said one or more wireless terminals; and

in at least one wireless terminal

a receiver for periodically receiving paging time slots intended to transport paging messages to one or more wireless terminals, wherein each of said one or more paging time slots includes one or more of first type paging time slots, and at least one second type paging time slot, each of said first type paging time slots being intended to transport an indication that one of said one or more particular wireless terminals has been paged and an associated second type paging time slot for transporting a paging message for a paged wireless terminal, and

said receiver having a capability for monitoring said first type paging time slots and said second type paging time slots.

41. The system as defined in claim 40 wherein each of said first type paging time slots has fewer bits than said at least one second type paging time slot.

42. The system as defined in claim 41 wherein said at least one wireless terminal is initially in a standby mode and further including said at least one wireless terminal being controlled to enter a monitoring mode prior to receiving said paging time slot including said first type paging time slot assigned to said at least one wireless terminal.

43. Apparatus for use in a base station of a wireless communications system including at least one base station and one or more wireless terminals to transmit paging messages comprising:

means for generating a paging time slot format including one or more periodically recurring paging time slots to transmit paging messages to one or more wireless terminals, wherein each of said one or more paging time slots includes one or more of first type paging time slots, and at least one second type paging time slot, each of said first type paging time slots being intended to transport an indication that one of said one or more particular wireless terminals has been paged and an associated second type paging time slot for transporting a paging message for a paged wireless terminal; and

means for transmitting said paging time slot format to said one or more wireless terminals.

44. Apparatus for use in a wireless terminal of a wireless communications system including at least one base station and one or more wireless terminals to receive paging messages comprising:

means for periodically receiving paging time slots intended to transport paging messages to one or more wireless terminals, wherein each of said one or more paging time slots includes one or more of first type paging time slots, and at least one second type paging time slot, each of said first type paging time slots being intended to transport an indication that one of said one or more particular wireless terminals has been paged and an associated second type paging time slot for transporting a paging message for a paged wireless terminal; and

means for monitoring said first type paging time slots and said second type paging time slots.

45. A wireless communications system including at least one base station and one or more wireless terminals to transmit paging messages comprising:

in said base station

means for generating a paging time slot format including one or more periodically recurring paging time slots to transmit paging messages to one or more wireless terminals, wherein each of said one or more paging time slots includes one or more of first type paging time slots, and at least one second type paging time slot, each of said first type paging time slots being intended to transport an indication that one of said one or more particular wireless terminals has been paged and an associated second type paging time slot for transporting a paging message for a paged wireless terminal, and

means for transmitting said paging time slot format to said one or more wireless terminals; and

in at least one wireless terminal

means for periodically receiving paging time slots intended to transport paging messages to one or more wireless terminals, wherein each of said one or more paging time slots includes one or more of first type paging time slots, and at least one second type paging time slot, each of said first type paging time slots being intended to transport an indication that one of said one or more particular wireless terminals has been paged and an associated second type paging time slot for transporting a paging message for a paged wireless terminal, and

means for monitoring said first type paging time slots and said second type paging time slots.