Apparatus and method for extending the coverage area of a licensed wireless communication system using an unlicensed wireless communication system
First Claim
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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.
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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.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system, comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of providing wireless services using an unlicensed wireless service and a licensed wireless service, the method comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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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.
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18. A method of providing wireless service using an unlicensed wireless channel and a licensed wireless channel, the method comprising;
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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. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification