Method and apparatus for implementing a handoff between radio access networks deployed under different radio access technologies
First Claim
1. In a wireless communication system including a plurality of radio access networks (RANs) deployed under different radio access technologies (RATs) and a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), a method of initiating a handoff between the RANs, the method comprising:
- a first RAN sending a list to the WTRU, the list including RANs co-located in a coverage area of the first RAN;
the WTRU receiving the list from the first RAN and storing the list;
the WTRU determining whether a handoff criteria is met by one of the co-located RANs and selecting one of the co-located RANs that meets the handoff criteria; and
the WTRU initiating a handoff from the first RAN to the selected RAN.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for implementing a handoff between radio access networks (RANs) deployed under different radio access technologies (RATs) are disclosed. A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) is equipped with at least two radio units to support the RATs. Each RAN sends a list of co-located RANs in the coverage area of the RAN to the WTRU. The WTRU stores the list and determines whether handoff criteria is met by one of the co-located RANs. The WTRU then initiates a handoff from a current RAN to a target RAN if the handoff criteria is met by the target RAN. Alternatively, the WTRU may send a measurement report to the current RAN, whereby the current RAN determines whether handoff criteria is met by a selected one of the co-located RANs and initiate a handoff to the selected RAN if the handoff criteria is met.
156 Citations
45 Claims
-
1. In a wireless communication system including a plurality of radio access networks (RANs) deployed under different radio access technologies (RATs) and a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), a method of initiating a handoff between the RANs, the method comprising:
-
a first RAN sending a list to the WTRU, the list including RANs co-located in a coverage area of the first RAN;
the WTRU receiving the list from the first RAN and storing the list;
the WTRU determining whether a handoff criteria is met by one of the co-located RANs and selecting one of the co-located RANs that meets the handoff criteria; and
the WTRU initiating a handoff from the first RAN to the selected RAN. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A wireless communication system comprising:
-
a plurality of radio access networks (RANs) deployed under different radio access technologies (RATs), a first one of the RANs configured to send a list of RANs co-located in a coverage area of the first RAN; and
a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) configured to;
i) receive the list from the first RAN, ii) determine whether a handoff criteria is met by one of the co-located RANs, iii) select one of the co-located RANs that meet the handoff criteria, and iv) initiate a handoff from the first RAN to the selected RAN. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
-
-
18. In a wireless communication system including a plurality of radio access networks (RANs) deployed under different radio access technologies (RATs) and at least one wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), a method of initiating a handoff between the RANs, the method comprising:
-
a first RAN sending a list to the WTRU, the list including co-located RANs in a coverage area of the first RAN;
the WTRU receiving the list from the first RAN and storing the list;
the WTRU measuring quality of signals received from the co-located RANs;
the WTRU sending a signal quality measurement report to the first RAN;
the first RAN determining whether a handoff criteria is met by the co-located RANs and selecting one of the co-located RANs that meet the handoff criteria; and
the first RAN initiating a handoff from the first RAN to the selected RAN. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
-
-
24. A wireless communication system comprising:
-
a plurality of radio access networks (RANs) deployed under different radio access technologies (RATs), a first one of the RANs configured to send a list of RANs co-located in a coverage area of the first RAN and initiate a handoff to a selected RAN if handoff criteria is met by the selected RAN based on a measurement report received by the first RAN; and
a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) configured to measure quality of signals received from the co-located RANs and send a signal quality measurement report to the first RAN. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
-
-
30. In a wireless communication system including an evolved universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS) terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN) and a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), a method for initiating a handoff from the E-UTRAN to another radio access network (RAN), the method comprising:
-
the E-UTRAN sending a list to the WTRU, the list including RANs co-located in a coverage area of the E-UTRAN;
the WTRU receiving the list from the E-UTRAN and storing the list;
the WTRU determining whether a handoff criteria is met by one of the co-located RANs and selecting one of the co-located RANs that meets the handoff criteria; and
the WTRU initiating a handoff from the E-UTRAN to the selected RAN. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33)
-
-
34. A wireless communication system comprising:
-
an evolved universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS) terrestrial radio access notwork (E-UTRAN) configured to send a list of radio access networks (RANs) co-located in a coverage area of the E-UTRAN;
at least one co-located RAN deployed under different radio access technology (RAT); and
a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) configured to;
i) receive the list from the E-UTRAN, ii) determine whether a handoff criteria is met by one of the co-located RANs, iii) select one of the co-located RANs that meet the handoff criteria, and iv) initiate a handoff from the E-UTRAN to the selected RAN. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37)
-
-
38. In a wireless communication system including an evolved universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS) terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN) and a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), a method for initiating a handoff from a second radio access network (RAN) to the E-UTRAN, the method comprising:
-
the second RAN sending a list to the WTRU, the list including E-UTRAN co-located in a coverage area of the E-UTRAN;
the WTRU receiving the list from the second RAN and storing the list;
the WTRU determining whether a handoff criteria is met by the E-UTRAN; and
the WTRU initiating a handoff from the second RAN to the E-UTRAN if the handoff criteria is met. - View Dependent Claims (39)
-
-
40. A wireless communication system comprising:
-
an evolved universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS) terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN) at least one alternative radio access network (RAN) co-located in a coverage area of the E-UTRAN, the alternative RAN configured to send a list of E-UTRAN available in a coverage area of the alternative RAN; and
a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) configured to;
i) receive the list from the alternative RAN, ii) determine whether a handoff criteria is met by the E-UTRAN, and iii) initiate a handoff from the alternative RAN to the E-UTRAN if the handoff criteria is met. - View Dependent Claims (41)
-
-
42. In a wireless communication system including an evolved universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS) terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN), an interworking wireless local area network (I-WLAN) and a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), a method for initiating a handoff between the E-UTRAN and the I-WLAN, the method comprising:
-
the WTRU monitoring I-WLAN channels while the WTRU is attached to the E-UTRAN;
the WTRU locking onto a detected I-WLAN channel; and
the WTRU initiating a handoff procedure if criteria for a handoff to the I-WLAN is met.
-
-
43. A wireless communication system comprising:
-
an evolved universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS) terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN);
an IEEE-based interworking wireless local area network (I-WLAN);
a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) comprising;
an E-UTRAN radio unit; and
an I-WLAN radio unit; and
a handoff controller configured to i) monitor I-WLAN channels while the WTRU is attached to the E-UTRAN, ii) lock onto a detected WLAN channel, and iii) initiate a handoff procedure if criteria for a handoff to the I-WLAN is met.
-
-
44. In a wireless communication system including an evolved universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS) terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN), an interworking wireless local area network (I-WLAN) and a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), a method for initiating a handoff between the E-UTRAN and the I-WLAN, the method comprising:
-
the WTRU monitoring E-UTRAN channels while the WTRU is attached to the I-WLAN;
the WTRU locking onto a detected E-UTRAN channel; and
the WTRU initiating a handoff procedure if criteria for a handoff from the I-WLAN to the E-UTRAN is met.
-
-
45. A wireless communication system comprising:
-
an evolved universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS) terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN);
an IEEE-based interworking wireless local area network (I-WLAN);
a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) comprising;
an E-UTRAN radio unit; and
an I-WLAN radio unit; and
a handoff controller configured to i) monitor E-UTRAN channels while the WTRU is attached to the I-WLAN, ii) lock onto a detected E-UTRAN channel, and iii) initiate a handoff procedure if criteria for a handoff to the E-UTRAN is met.
-
Specification