Multi-network seamless roaming through a software-defined-radio

• US 20060046716A1
• Filed: 08/24/2005
• Published: 03/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Mobile Sonic Incorporated (Absolute Software Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Padcom Incorporated (NetMotion Software, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hofstaedter, Christian E., Bogdon, Christopher J., Ellison, Randy H., Baker, Shane L.
• Application Number:
  US11/209,657
• Publication Number:
  US 20060046716A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/432.200
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/0003 Software-defined radio [SDR] systems, i.e. systems wherein components typically implemented in hardware, e.g. filters or modulators/demodulators, are implented using software, e.g. by involving an AD or DA conversion stage such that at least part of the signal processing is performed in the digital domain digital baseband systems H04L25/00; digital modulation/demodulation H04L27/00; CDMA H04B1/707; TDMA H04B7/2643; image transmission H04N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/245 from a network towards a terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

A method is provided for seamless roaming over multiple dissimilar wireless networks leveraging a set of one or more SDRs, and possibly some traditional radio communication devices. The method includes determining whether alternate networks are available regardless of whether the SDR has only a single transmitter and receiver or multiple transmitters and receivers. In addition, if the SDR provides multiple transmitters and receivers, or if multiple distinct SDRs are available to the mobile computing device, the method will be able to better optimize the seamless roaming experience for the user while still utilizing the set of SDRs, in part, to determine whether alternate networks are available. The method further includes managing the transitions of an SDR between various modulation algorithms according to a variety of states and settings of the SDR or of the set of SDRs as a whole.

Claims

1. A method for seamlessly roaming across a plurality of dissimilar wireless networks using at least one software defined radio (SDR), the at least one SDR including a plurality of modulation algorithms, each algorithm enabling access to at least one of the dissimilar networks, the method comprising:

seamlessly roaming across the dissimilar wireless networks while only using a single transceiver of the at least one SDR; and

prioritizing the modulation algorithms.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising scanning for a limited time an alternate network of the plurality of wireless networks, when a primary network of the plurality of networks is designated as in-use.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising updating the prioritization of modulation algorithms in response to hint criteria being satisfied.

4. The method of claim 3, in which the hint criteria designates a time.

5. The method of claim 3, in which the hint criteria designates a location.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising scanning the dissimilar networks to check a network quality.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising scanning the dissimilar networks, the scanning comprising downloading a modulation algorithm to the at least one SDR, initializing the at least one SDR and checking whether a network associated with the downloaded algorithm is in coverage.

8. A system for seamlessly roaming across a plurality of dissimilar wireless networks using at least one software defined radio (SDR), the at least one SDR including a plurality of modulation algorithms, each algorithm enabling access to at least one of the dissimilar networks, the system comprising:

a network management subsystem that processes packets to be sent to a network accessible through a selected modulation algorithm of the at least one SDR, and scans through modulation algorithms on the at least one SDR device; and

a configuration subsystem that communicates with the network management subsystem to provide configuration information.

9. The system of claim 8, further comprising an application programming interface (API) subsystem that receives network status notifications from the network management subsystem and publishes the status notifications for external entities.

10. The system of claim 8, in which the network management subsystem further checks network quality of networks accessible through selected modulation algorithms.

11. The system of claim 8, in which the configuration subsystem communicates with a centralized software controller to obtain configuration updates.

12. The system of claim 9, in which the API subsystem receives instructions from an external entity to designate at least one of the dissimilar networks as currently most preferred.

13. The system of claim 9, in which the API subsystem receives instructions from an external entity to transmit a packet through a specific one of the dissimilar wireless networks.

14. The system of claim 8, further comprising a routing support subsystem that aborts scans to minimize packet loss.

15. A computer readable medium for storing a program for seamlessly roaming across a plurality of dissimilar wireless networks using at least one software defined radio (SDR), the at least one SDR including a plurality of modulation algorithms, each algorithm enabling access to at least one of the dissimilar networks, the medium comprising:

a roaming code segment that enables seamless roaming across the dissimilar wireless networks while only using a single transceiver of the at least one SDR; and

a priority code segment that prioritizes the modulation algorithms.

16. The medium of claim 15, further comprising a scanning code segment that scans for a limited time an alternate network of the plurality of wireless networks, when a primary network of the plurality of networks is designated as in-use.

17. The medium of claim 15, further comprising a hint code segment that updates the modulation algorithm priorities in response to hint criteria being satisfied.

18. The medium of claim 15, further comprising a scanning code segment that scans the dissimilar networks to check a quality of the networks.

19. The medium of claim 15, further comprising a scanning code segment that scans the dissimilar networks by downloading a modulation algorithm to the at least one SDR, initializing the at least one SDR, and checking whether a network associated with the downloaded algorithm is in coverage.

20. The medium of claim 15, further comprising a pruning code segment that ensures that each connected modulation algorithm is used by only a single SDR.

21. The medium of claim 17, further comprising a receiving code segment that receives hint updates from an external entity.

22. The medium of claim 15, further comprising a scan frequency code segment that dynamically changes a scan frequency based upon a state of the at least one SDR.

23. The medium of claim 15, further comprising a coverage checking frequency code segment that changes a coverage checking frequency based upon each modulation algorithm.

24. The medium of claim 15, wherein each modulation algorithm comprises a GPS algorithm or a bi-directional data network modulation algorithm.

25. The medium of claim 15, in which the roaming code segment further enables simultaneous use of multiple networks.