Wireless communication method and apparatus for preventing network access by mobile stations which support an incompatible internet protocol version

• US 20060023712A1
• Filed: 06/15/2005
• Published: 02/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Interdigital Technology Corporation (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Interdigital Technology Corporation (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Inventors: Shaheen, Kamel M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,852,825 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/389
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/24 Negotiation of communication capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/02 Access restriction performed under specific conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/045 involving different protocol versions, e.g. MIPv4 and MIPv6

Abstract

A method and apparatus for determining whether attach procedures between a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) and a network should proceed based on whether the internet protocol (IP) version, (i.e., packet data protocol (PDP) type), of the WTRU is compatible with the network. In one embodiment, the WTRU receives a network compatibility message from the network which indicates the network'"'"'s IP version. If the network'"'"'s IP version is determined by the WTRU to be compatible, the WTRU and the network proceed with the attach procedures. In another embodiment, the network receives an attach request message from the WTRU which indicates the IP version of the WTRU. If the IP version of the WTRU is determined by the network to be compatible, the network and the WTRU proceed with the attach procedures. For both embodiments, another network is selected if the IP versions of the WTRU and the network are not compatible.

Claims

1. In a wireless communication system including at least one network which supports a first internet protocol (IP) version and at least one wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) which supports a second IP version, a method of determining whether attach procedures between the network and the WTRU should be implemented based on IP version compatibility, the method comprising:

(a) the WTRU tuning to and monitoring a first broadcast channel;

(b) the WTRU receiving a first network compatibility message from a first network associated with the first broadcast channel which indicates the first IP version;

(c) the WTRU determining whether the first IP version of the first network is compatible with the second IP version of the WTRU; and

(d) if the first and second IP versions are determined by the WTRU to be compatible, proceeding with the attach procedures to establish a communication link between the WTRU and the first network.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the first network includes a serving general packet radio service (GPRS) support node (SGSN).

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

(e) the WTRU tuning to and monitoring a second broadcast channel if the first and second IP versions are determined by the WTRU not to be compatible;

(f) the WTRU receiving a second network compatibility message from a second network associated with the second broadcast channel which indicates a third IP version; and

(g) if the first and third IP versions are determined by the WTRU to be compatible, proceeding with the attach procedures to establish a communication link between the WTRU and the second network.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the second network is a public land mobile network (PLMN).

5. The method of claim 3 wherein the first network directs the WTRU to attempt to establish a communication link with the second network.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the first network compatibility message includes a field having a packet data protocol (PDP) type.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the PDP type is represented by two bits “

00”

indicating that the network supports IP version 4.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein the PDP type is represented by two bits “

01”

indicating that the network supports IP version 6.

9. The method of claim 6 wherein the PDP type is represented by two bits “

10”

indicating that the network supports both IP version 4 and IP version 6.

10. The method of claim 3 wherein the second network compatibility message includes a field having a packet data protocol (PDP) type.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the PDP type is represented by two bits “

00”

indicating that the network supports IP version 4.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein the PDP type is represented by two bits “

01”

indicating that the network supports IP version 6.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein the PDP type is represented by two bits “

10”

indicating that the network supports both IP version 4 and IP version 6.

14. In a wireless communication system including at least one wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) which supports a first internet protocol (IP) version and at least one network which supports a second IP version, a method of determining whether attach procedures between the network and the WTRU should be implemented based on IP version compatibility, the method comprising:

(a) the WTRU tuning to and monitoring a first broadcast channel;

(b) the WTRU sending a first attach request message to a first network associated with the first broadcast channel which indicates the first IP version;

(c) the first network determining whether the first IP version of the WTRU is compatible with the second IP version of the first network; and

(d) if the first and second IP versions are determined by the first network to be compatible, proceeding with the attach procedures to establish a communication link between the first network and the WTRU.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the first network includes a serving general packet radio service (GPRS) support node (SGSN).

16. The method of claim 14 wherein if the first and second IP versions are determined by the first network not to be compatible, the method further comprises:

(e) the first network sending a message to the WTRU indicating that the attach request has been denied;

(f) the WTRU tuning to and monitoring a second broadcast channel in response to receiving the message of step (e);

(g) the WTRU sending a second attach request message which indicates the first IP version to a second network which supports a third IP version, the second network being associated with the second broadcast channel; and

(h) if the first and third IP versions are determined by the second network to be compatible, proceeding with the attach procedures to establish a communication link between the second network and the WTRU.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the second network is a public land mobile network (PLMN).

18. The method of claim 16 wherein the first network directs the WTRU to attempt to establish a communication link with the second network.

19. The method of claim 14 wherein the first attach request message includes a field having a packet data protocol (PDP) type.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the PDP type is represented by two bits “

00”

indicating that the network supports IP version 4.

21. The method of claim 19 wherein the PDP type is represented by two bits “

01”

indicating that the network supports IP version 6.

22. The method of claim 19 wherein the PDP type is represented by two bits “

10”

indicating that the network supports both IP version 4 and IP version 6.

23. The method of claim 16 wherein the second attach request message includes a field having a packet data protocol (PDP) type.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the PDP type is represented by two bits “

00”

indicating that the network supports IP version 4.

25. The method of claim 23 wherein the PDP type is represented by two bits “

01”

indicating that the network supports IP version 6.

26. The method of claim 23 wherein the PDP type is represented by two bits “

10”

indicating that the network supports both IP version 4 and IP version 6.

27. A wireless communication system for determining whether attach procedures should be implemented based on internet protocol (IP) version compatibility, the system comprising:

(a) a first network which supports a first IP version; and

(b) at least one wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) which supports a second IP version, wherein the WTRU receives a first network compatibility message from the first network which indicates the first IP version and, if the first and second IP versions are determined by the WTRU to be compatible, the WTRU and the first network proceed with the attach procedures to establish a communication link between the WTRU and the first network.

28. The system of claim 27 wherein the first network includes a serving general packet radio service (GPRS) support node (SGSN).

29. The system of claim 27 wherein if the first and second IP versions are determined by the WTRU not to be compatible, the WTRU receives a second network compatibility message from a second network which indicates a third IP version and, if the first and third IP versions are determined by the WTRU to be compatible, the WTRU and the first network proceed with the attach procedures to establish a communication link between the WTRU and the second network.

30. The system of claim 29 wherein the second network is a public land mobile network (PLMN).

31. The system of claim 28 wherein the first network directs the WTRU to attempt to establish a communication link with the second network.

32. The system of claim 27 wherein the first network compatibility message includes a field having a packet data protocol (PDP) type.

33. The system of claim 32 wherein the PDP type is represented by two bits “

00”

indicating that the network supports IP version 4.

34. The system of claim 32 wherein the PDP type is represented by two bits “

01”

indicating that the network supports IP version 6.

35. The system of claim 32 wherein the PDP type is represented by two bits “

10”

indicating that the network supports both IP version 4 and IP version 6.

36. The system of claim 29 wherein the second network compatibility message includes a field having a packet data protocol (PDP) type.

37. The system of claim 36 wherein the PDP type is represented by two bits “

00”

indicating that the network supports IP version 4.

38. The system of claim 36 wherein the PDP type is represented by two bits “

01”

indicating that the network supports IP version 6.

39. The system of claim 36 wherein the PDP type is represented by two bits “

10”

indicating that the network supports both IP version 4 and IP version 6.

40. A wireless communication system for determining whether attach procedures should be implemented based on internet protocol (IP) version compatibility, the system comprising:

(a) at least one wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) which supports a first IP version; and

(b) a first network which supports a second IP version, wherein the first network receives a first attach request message from the WTRU which indicates the first IP version and, if the first and second IP versions are determined by the first network to be compatible, proceeding with the attach procedures to establish a communication link between the first network and the WTRU.

41. The system of claim 40 wherein the first network includes a serving general packet radio service (GPRS) support node (SGSN).

42. The system of claim 40 further comprising:

(c) a second network which supports a third IP version, wherein if the first and second IP versions are determined by the first network not to be compatible, the second network receives a second attach request message from the WTRU which indicates the first IP version and, if the first and third IP versions are determined by the second network to be compatible, proceeding with the attach procedures to establish a communication link between the second network and the WTRU.

43. The system of claim 42 wherein the second network is a public land mobile network (PLMN).

44. The system of claim 42 wherein the first network directs the WTRU to attempt to establish a communication link with the second network.

45. The system of claim 40 wherein the first attach request message includes a field having a packet data protocol (PDP) type.

46. The system of claim 45 wherein the PDP type is represented by two bits “

00”

indicating that the network supports IP version 4.

47. The system of claim 45 wherein the PDP type is represented by two bits “

01”

indicating that the network supports IP version 6.

48. The system of claim 45 wherein the PDP type is represented by two bits “

10”

indicating that the network supports both IP version 4 and IP version 6.

49. The system of claim 42 wherein the second attach request message includes a field having a packet data protocol (PDP) type.

50. The system of claim 49 wherein the PDP type is represented by two bits “

00”

indicating that the network supports IP version 4.

51. The system of claim 49 wherein the PDP type is represented by two bits “

01”

indicating that the network supports IP version 6.

52. The system of claim 49 wherein the PDP type is represented by two bits “

10”

indicating that the network supports both IP version 4 and IP version 6.

53. A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) comprising:

(a) an antenna;

(b) a receiver electrically coupled to the antenna, the receiver for scanning a control channel via the antenna, monitoring a first broadcast channel in the control channel, and receiving a first network compatibility message from a first network over the first broadcast channel;

(c) a memory for storing information indicating an internet protocol (IP) version supported by the WTRU;

(d) a processor electrically coupled to the receiver and the memory for comparing an IP version field in the first network compatibility message with the information stored in the memory; and

(e) a transmitter for implementing attach procedures with the first network when the processor determines that the IP versions supported by the first network and the WTRU are compatible.

54. The WTRU of claim 53 wherein if the IP versions of the first network and the WTRU are determined by the processor not to be compatible, the receiver monitors a second broadcast channel in the control channel and receives a second network compatibility message from the second network over the second broadcast channel, and the transmitter implements attach procedures with the second network if the processor determines that the IP versions supported by the second network and the WTRU are compatible.

55. An integrated circuit (IC) in communication with an antenna, the IC comprising:

(a) a receiver electrically coupled to the antenna, the receiver for scanning a control channel via the antenna, monitoring a first broadcast channel in the control channel, and receiving a first network compatibility message from a first network over the first broadcast channel;

(b) a memory for storing information indicating an internet protocol (IP) version supported by the IC;

(c) a processor electrically coupled to the receiver and the memory for comparing an IP version field in the first network compatibility message with the information stored in the memory; and

(d) a transmitter for implementing attach procedures with the first network when the processor determines that the IP versions supported by the first network and the IC are compatible.

56. The IC of claim 55 wherein if the IP versions of the first network and the IC are determined by the processor not to be compatible, the receiver monitors a second broadcast channel in the control channel and receives a second network compatibility message from the second network over the second broadcast channel, and the transmitter implements attach procedures with the second network if the processor determines that the IP versions supported by the second network and the IC are compatible.

57. A Node-B comprising:

(a) an antenna;

(b) a receiver electrically coupled to the antenna for receiving an attach request message from a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU);

(c) a memory for storing information indicating an internet protocol (IP) version supported by the Node-B;

(d) a processor electrically coupled to the receiver and the memory for comparing an IP version field in the attach request message with the information stored in the memory; and

(e) a transmitter for implementing attach procedures with the WTRU when the processor determines that the IP versions supported by the Node-B and the WTRU are compatible.

58. The Node-B of claim 57 wherein if the IP versions of the Node-B and the WTRU are determined by the processor not to be compatible, the transmitter sends a message to the WTRU indicating that the attach request has been denied.

59. An integrated circuit (IC) in communication with an antenna, the IC comprising:

(a) a receiver electrically coupled to the antenna for receiving an attach request message from a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU);

(b) a memory for storing information indicating an internet protocol (IP) version supported by the Node-B;

(c) a processor electrically coupled to the receiver and the memory for comparing an IP version field in the attach request message with the information stored in the memory; and

(d) a transmitter for implementing attach procedures with the WTRU when the processor determines that the IP versions supported by the IC and the WTRU are compatible.

60. The IC of claim 59 wherein if the IP versions of the IC and the WTRU are determined by the processor not to be compatible, the transmitter sends a message to the WTRU indicating that the attach request has been denied.

61. A network comprising:

(a) an antenna;

(b) a receiver electrically coupled to the antenna for receiving an attach request message from a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU);

(c) a memory for storing information indicating an internet protocol (IP) version supported by the network;

(d) a processor electrically coupled to the receiver and the memory for comparing an IP version field in the attach request message with the information stored in the memory; and

(e) a transmitter for implementing attach procedures with the WTRU when the processor determines that the IP versions supported by the network and the WTRU are compatible.

62. The network of claim 61 wherein if the IP versions of the network and the WTRU are determined by the processor not to be compatible, the transmitter sends a message to the WTRU indicating that the attach request has been denied.

63. The network of claim 61 wherein the network includes a serving general packet radio service (GPRS) support node (SGSN).

64. The network of claim 61 wherein the network is a public land mobile network (PLMN).