Apparatus and method for extending the coverage area of a licensed wireless communication system using an unlicensed wireless communication system

• US 20040116120A1
• Filed: 10/17/2003
• Published: 06/17/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ribbon Communications Operating Company, Inc. (Ribbon Communications, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Kineto Wireless Incorporated (Ribbon Communications, Inc.)
• Inventors: Baranowski, Joseph G., Mohammed, Jahangir, Shi, Jianxiong, Shekhar, Madhu C., Elam, Thomas G., Powell, Mark, Kolderup, Kenneth M., Gallagher, Michael D., Markovic, Milan
• Granted Patent: US 7,127,250 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/436
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0272 Virtual private networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 60/04 using triggered events
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/30 Connection release
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/045 using private Base Stations, e.g. femto Base Stations, home Node B
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/16 WPBX [Wireless Private Branch Exchange]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/12 Access point controller devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/16 Gateway arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/02 Inter-networking arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/06 between gateways and public network devices

Abstract

An unlicensed wireless service is adapted to generate the interface protocols of a licensed wireless service to provide transparent transition of communication sessions between a licensed wireless service and an unlicensed wireless service. In one embodiment, a mobile station includes level 1, level 2, and level 3 protocols for licensed wireless service and an unlicensed wireless service. An indoor base station and indoor network controller provide protocol conversion for the unlicensed wireless service into a standard base station controller interface of the licensed wireless service.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a mobile station, including;

a first level 1, a first level 2, and a first level 3 protocol for a licensed wireless service having a licensed wireless channel serviced by a telecommunications network; and

a second level 1, a second level 2, and a second level 3 protocol for an unlicensed wireless service activated when said mobile station is within an unlicensed wireless service area;

an indoor base station operable to receive an unlicensed wireless channel from said mobile station; and

an indoor network controller coupled to said indoor base station and adapted to exchange signals with said telecommunications network;

wherein said network controller and said indoor base station are configured to convert said second level 1, said second level 2, and said second level 3 protocol into a standard base station controller interface protocol recognized by said telecommunications network;

wherein said mobile station, said indoor base station, and said network controller are configured to establish a communication session on said unlicensed wireless channel using said standard base station controller interface protocol of said licensed network.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said mobile station, indoor base station, and network controller are configured to generate a service request message to said telecommunications network to initiate a handover from said licensed wireless channel to said unlicensed wireless channel.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said telecommunication network comprises a mobile switch center for voice data.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said mobile station is configured to register its location with said indoor network controller subsequent to detection that it is within said unlicensed wireless service area.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said second level 1 protocol comprises a Bluetooth protocol.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said second level 1 protocol comprises a wireless local area network protocol.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said second level 3 protocol comprises a radio resource sublayer adapted for said unlicensed wireless system, wherein an access mode switch is triggered to utilize a mobility management sublayer and a call management sublayer shared with said first level 3 protocol.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said mobile station is configured to register its location with said indoor network controller.

9. A method of providing wireless services using an unlicensed wireless service and a licensed wireless service, the method comprising:

in a first mode of operation, utilizing a licensed wireless channel associated with a telecommunications network to service a communication session with a mobile station;

in response to detecting that said mobile station is within a service area of said unlicensed wireless service, generating level 1, level 2, and level 3 protocols of said mobile set for said unlicensed wireless service;

converting said level 1, level 2, and level 3 protocols for said unlicensed wireless service into a base station controller interface format compatible with said telecommunications network; and

sending a request to said telecommunications network in said base station controller format to service a communications session using an unlicensed wireless channel of said unlicensed wireless service.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

generating a location update for said unlicensed service; and

sending said location update to said telecommunications network in said base station controller format.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

subsequent to said detecting that said mobile station is with said service area of said unlicensed wireless service, registering with an indoor network controller.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein said level 1 protocol is a Bluetooth level 1 protocol.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said level 2 protocol is a Bluetooth level 2 protocol.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein said level 1 protocol is a wireless local area network protocol.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said level 2 protocol is a wireless local area network level 2 protocol.

17. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

in response to detecting that said mobile station is leaving said service area of said unlicensed wireless service, sending a message to said telecommunications network indicative of a detached condition, whereby said telecommunications network initiates a handover to said licensed wireless service.

12. The method of said 9, wherein said converting is performed in at least one of an indoor base station and an indoor network controller.

18. A method of providing wireless service using an unlicensed wireless channel and a licensed wireless channel, the method comprising;

in a first mode, servicing a communication session using a licensed wireless channel;

in a second mode, generating protocols for servicing a communication session using said unlicensed wireless channel, wherein said protocols are in a base station controller interface format received by a telecommunication network servicing said licensed wireless channel; and

emulating a base station controller service request to trigger said telecommunication network to initiate a handover between said licensed wireless channel and said unlicensed wireless channel.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

emulating a base station controller request to handoff a communication session to another base station controller.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein a single telephone number is associated with providing a communication session on either said licensed wireless service or said unlicensed wireless service.