Mobility management state transition system and method for handling dark beam scenarios

• US 20030045289A1
• Filed: 06/28/2002
• Published: 03/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hughes Network Systems LLC (Echostar Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Hughes Network Systems LLC (Echostar Corporation)
• Inventors: Zhao, Wei, Peters, Tom, Saha, Abheek, Noerpel, Anthony, Verma, Sandeep
• Granted Patent: US 7,058,403 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/435.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18539 Arrangements for managing radio, resources, i.e. for establishing or releasing a connection

Abstract

A state transition diagram is presented for a user'"'"'s access terminal for a satellite telecommunication system, showing the state of the access terminal'"'"'s mobility management software layer, in response to various stimuli and conditions as the user enters into and out of various modes of operations, including deactivation, activation and illumination of a dark beam of a spot beam that is a shared resource.

Claims

1. A method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems, comprising the steps of:

entering a deregistered state from a power-off state;

initiating an attach request procedure from an access terminal to an existing network;

identifying a PLMN of a first broadcast channel, camping on the first broadcast channel and establishing deregistered service with a first network through use of the first broadcast channel;

entering a registered illuminated state if a dark beam is illuminated, and entering a deregistered dark beam state if the dark beam is not illuminated; and

engaging in telecommunication activities with a new network while in the registered illuminated dark beam state.

2. The method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems according to claim 1, further comprising:

entering a registered dark beam state from a registered illuminated state; and

leaving the registered dark beam state to enter the registered illuminated state.

3. The method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems according to claim 1, further comprising:

leaving the deregistered dark beam state for an deregistered illuminated state.

4. The method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems according to claim 1, wherein the step of establishing a deregistered service with a first network comprises:

entering a deregistered illuminated normal service state from a deregistered illuminated PLMN search state based on a first set of conditions; and

entering a deregistered limited service state from a deregistered illuminated PLMN search state based on a second set of conditions.

5. The method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems according to claim 4 wherein the first set of conditions comprises:

a cell being found in an illuminated beam.

6. The method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems according to claim 4 wherein the second set of conditions comprises:

all PLMNs found by the access terminal are on a forbidden list, or that registration of a mobility management software layer has failed due to lack of available resources.

7. The method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems according to claim 1, wherein the step of entering a registered illuminated dark beam state if a dark beam is illuminated comprises:

entering a deregistered illuminated attach needed state from the deregistered illuminated normal service state based on a third set of conditions;

entering an illuminated GMM registered initiated state from the deregistered illuminated attach needed state based on a fourth set of conditions; and

entering into a registered illuminated normal service state from the GMM registered illuminated initiated state based on a fifth set of conditions.

8. The method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems according to claim 7, wherein the third set of conditions comprises:

an attach request is initiated to a second network from the access terminal in a first network.

9. The method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems according to claim 7, wherein the fourth set of conditions comprises:

the attach request is transmitted from the access terminal in the first network to the second network.

10. The method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems according to claim 7, wherein the fifth set of conditions comprises:

the attach request is accepted by the second network.

11. The method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems according to claim 1, wherein the step of entering a dark beam deregistered state if the dark beam is not illuminated comprises:

entering into the deregistered dark beam normal service state from the deregistered illuminated attach needed state, based on a sixth set of conditions.

12. The method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems according to claim 11, wherein:

the sixth set of conditions is a condition selected from the group consisting of a beam darkening event, an immediate assignment reject message indicating that the new service is not available, an immediate assignment reject message indicating that the resource is not available and an immediate assignment reject message indicating that the reported position of the access terminal is too old.

13. The method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems according to claim 2, wherein the step of entering a registered dark beam state from a registered illuminated state upon the existence of one or more of a first group of conditions comprises:

entering a registered dark beam normal service state from a registered illuminated normal service state to based on a seventh set of conditions.

14. The method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems according to claim 13, wherein the seventh set of conditions comprises:

the illuminated beam is darkened.

15. The method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems according to claim 2, wherein the step of leaving the registered dark beam state to enter the registered illuminated state comprises:

entering a registered illuminated normal service state from a registered dark beam normal service state based on an eighth set of conditions.

16. The method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems according to claim 15, wherein the eighth set of conditions comprises:

the dark beam is illuminated.

17. The method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems according to claim 3, wherein the step of leaving the deregistered dark beam state for a deregistered illuminated state comprises:

entering a deregistered illuminated PLMN search state from a deregistered dark beam normal service state based on a ninth set of conditions.

18. The method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems according to claim 17, wherein the ninth set of conditions comprises:

the dark beam is illuminated.

19. The method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems according to claim 1, further comprising:

initiating a position update procedure while in a registered illuminated state.

20. The method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems according to claim 19, wherein:

the registered illuminated state is either a registered illuminated normal service state or a registered illuminated limited service state.

21. The method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems according to claim 19, wherein:

the initiated position update procedure while in a registered illuminated state is performed successfully.

22. The method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems according to claim 19, wherein:

the initiated position update procedure while in a registered illuminated state is not performed successfully.

23. The method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems according to claim 21, wherein the step of performing the initiated position update procedure while in a registered illuminated state successfully comprises:

entering a registered illuminated update needed state from the registered illuminated normal service state based on a tenth set of conditions;

entering a registered illuminated GMM routing area update initiated state from the registered illuminated update needed state based on a eleventh set of conditions; and

entering the registered illuminated normal service state from the registered illuminated GMM routing area update initiated state based on an twelfth set of conditions.

24. The method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems according to claim 23, wherein the tenth set of conditions comprises:

a routing area update timer has expired or a change in routing area has occurred to the access terminal.

25. The method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems according to claim 23, wherein the eleventh set of conditions comprises:

a routing area update request is transmitted.

26. The method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems according to claim 23, wherein the twelfth set of conditions comprises:

the routing area update request is accepted, or a routing are update attempt counter is less than an attempt counter number, a failure case occurs and a current routing area indicator equals a stored routing area indicator.

27. The method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems according to claim 26, wherein the attempt counter number is 5.

28. The method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems according to claim 21, wherein the step of performing the initiated position update procedure while in a registered illuminated state is not performed successfully comprises:

entering a registered illuminated update needed state from the registered illuminated normal service state based on a tenth set of conditions;

entering a registered illuminated GMM routing area update initiated state from the registered illuminated update needed state based on an eleventh set of conditions;

entering a registered illuminated attempting to update state from the registered illuminated GMM routing area update initiated state;

entering the registered illuminated update needed state from the registered illuminated attempting to update state based on a thirteenth set of conditions; and

repeating these steps until the routing area update request is accepted, or a routing are update attempt counter is less than an attempt counter number, a failure case occurs and a current routing area indicator equals a stored routing area indicator.

29. The method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems according to claim 28, wherein the thirteenth set of conditions comprises

a T3311 timer expires or a T3302 timer expires.

30. The method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems according to claim 28, further comprising:

entering a registered dark beam normal service routing area update state from the registered illuminated GMM routing area update initiated state, the registered illuminated attempting to update state or the registered illuminated update needed state based on a beam darkening event.

31. The method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems according to claim 1, further comprising

entering a registered dark beam normal service state from the registered illuminated normal service state;

and

entering a registered dark beam normal service routing area update state from the registered dark beam normal service state.

32. The method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems according to claim 31, wherein the step of entering a registered dark beam routing area update state from the registered dark beam state comprises:

entering a registered dark beam illuminated initiated state from the registered dark beam normal service state based on a fourteenth set of conditions;

entering a registered dark beam illumination initiated routing area updated state from the registered dark beam illumination initiated state based on a fifteenth set of conditions; and

entering a registered dark beam normal service dark beam routing area update state based on a sixteenth set of conditions.

33. The method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems according to claim 32, wherein the fourteenth set of conditions comprises:

a user request.

34. The method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems according to claim 32, wherein the fifteenth set of conditions comprises:

a T3312 timer expiration or a beam reselection.

35. The method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems according to claim 32, wherein the sixteenth set of conditions comprises:

an illumination failure.

36. The method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems according to claim 32, further comprising:

entering the registered dark beam normal service state from the registered dark beam illumination initiated state based on an seventeenth set of conditions; and

entering the registered illuminated normal service state based on a eighteenth set of conditions.

37. The method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems according to claim 36, wherein the seventeenth set of conditions comprises:

an illumination failure.

38. The method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems according to claim 36 wherein the eighteenth set of conditions comprises:

a beam illumination or a rejection to a new broadcast control channel.

39. The method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems according to claim 32 further comprising:

entering an registered illuminated update needed state from the registered dark beam illumination initiated routing area update state based on a nineteenth set of conditions.

40. The method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems according to claim 39 wherein the nineteenth set of conditions comprises:

a beam illumination or a rejection to a new broadcast control channel.

41. The method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems according to claim 31 further comprising:

entering a registered dark beam normal service state from the registered dark beam normal service routing area update state based on a twentieth set of conditions.

42. The method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems according to claim 41 wherein the twentieth set of conditions comprises:

expiration of a T3312 timer or a beam reselection event.

43. The method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems according to claim 41 further comprising:

entering the registered dark beam illumination initiated routing area update state from the registered dark beam normal service routing area update state based on a twenty-first set of conditions; and

entering the registered illuminated update needed state from the registered dark beam normal service routing area update state based on a twenty-second set of conditions.

44. The method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems according to claim 43 wherein the twenty-first set of conditions comprises:

a user request.

45. The method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems according to claim 43 wherein the twenty-second set of conditions comprises:

a beam illumination.

46. The method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems according to claim 1, further comprising:

entering a deregistered state from a plurality of registered states based on a twenty-third set of conditions.

47. The method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems according to claim 46 wherein the deregistered state comprises:

a GMM deregistered illuminated invalid position state.

48. The method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems according to claim 46 wherein the twenty-third set of conditions comprises:

an invalid position of the access terminal, an invalid position for the access terminal'"'"'s SP, or, an invalid position for selected location area identities and no additional location area identities are available.

49. The method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems according to claim 46 wherein the registered states comprises:

the registered illuminated normal service state and the illuminated GMM routing area update initiated state.

50. The method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems according to claim 1, further comprising:

entering a deregistered state from the GMM registered initiated state based on a twenty-fourth set of conditions.

51. The method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems according to claim 50, wherein the deregistered state comprises:

a GMM deregistered illuminated invalid position state.

52. The method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems according to claim 50, wherein the twenty-fourth set of conditions comprises:

an invalid position of the access terminal, an invalid position for the access terminal'"'"'s SP, or, an invalid position for selected location area identities and no additional location area identities are available.