APPARATUS AND METHODS OF WHITESPACE COMMUNICATION

• US 20100246506A1
• Filed: 12/01/2009
• Published: 09/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Krishnaswamy, Dilip
• Granted Patent: US 9,025,536 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/329
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/08 Reselecting an access point
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/24 Reselection being triggered by specific parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/30 by measured or perceived connection quality data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/32 by location or mobility data, e.g. speed data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/20 Selecting an access point
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/0453 Resources in frequency domain, e.g. a carrier in FDMA
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/541 using the level of interference
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/542 using measured or perceived quality
• 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

The described apparatus and methods provide communication services utilizing a combination of non-white space (NWS) and white space (WS) networks. For example, in an aspect, the described apparatus and methods receive, at a first base station (BS) and on a licensed frequency, a communication request for network access from a wireless access terminal (AT). The aspects also determine at least one available unlicensed frequency corresponding to a location of the wireless AT. Further, the aspects partition at least a portion of the network access for the wireless AT to be via the at least one available unlicensed frequency. Additionally, the aspects inform the wireless AT of the at least one available unlicensed frequency for use to obtain at least the portion of the network access. Additional aspects relate to NWS BS assisted handoffs of WS calls, dynamic caching of WS information, peer-to-peer WS communication, and WS BS venue-specific broadcasting.

Claims

1. A method of providing communication services, comprising:

receiving, at a first base station and on a licensed frequency, a communication request for network access from a wireless access terminal;

determining at least one available unlicensed frequency corresponding to a location of the wireless access terminal;

partitioning at least a portion of the network access for the wireless access terminal to be via the at least one available unlicensed frequency; and

informing the wireless access terminal of the at least one available unlicensed frequency for use to obtain at least the portion of the network access.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving identification a plurality of desired communication service types;

partitioning the plurality of desired communication service types for use between the licensed frequency and the at least one available unlicensed frequency; and

informing the wireless access terminal of the at least one available unlicensed frequency for use with a first one of the plurality of desired communication service types and of a second one of the plurality of desired communication service types for use with the licensed frequency, based on the partitioning.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the partitioning is based on at least one of:

network load, or service plan corresponding to wireless access terminal, or a service plan corresponding to the wireless access terminal in combination with the network load, or a signal strength of the wireless access terminal or the first base station, or a signal strength of the wireless access terminal in combination with the network load, or a desired quality of service and an available quality of service.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining further comprises at least one of:

requesting WS information from a WS information server in response to receiving the communication request;

or

determining a second base station corresponding to the location and operating on the available unlicensed frequency, and wherein the informing further comprises telling the wireless access terminal how to contact the second base station.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising establishing active calls with the wireless access terminal for the different services.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising obtaining WS information from a WS information server prior to receiving the communication request.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the communication request further comprises receiving the location of the wireless access terminal based on operation of a location determining module on the wireless access terminal.

50. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a level of applicability of the venue-specific message; and

deleting the venue-specific message based on the level of applicability.

8. At least one processor configured to provide communication services, comprising:

a first module for receiving, at a first base station and on a licensed frequency, a communication request for network access from a wireless access terminal;

a second module for determining at least one available unlicensed frequency corresponding to a location of the wireless access terminal;

a third module for partitioning at least a portion of the network access for the wireless access terminal to be via the at least one available unlicensed frequency; and

a fourth module for informing the wireless access terminal of the at least one available unlicensed frequency for use to obtain at least the portion of the network access.

9. A computer program product configured to provide communication services, comprising:

a computer readable medium, comprising;

at least one instruction operable to cause a computer to receive, at a first base station and on a licensed frequency, a communication request for network access from a wireless access terminal;

at least one instruction operable to cause the computer to determine at least one available unlicensed frequency corresponding to a location of the wireless access terminal;

at least one instruction operable to cause the computer to partition at least a portion of the network access for the wireless access terminal to be via the at least one available unlicensed frequency; and

at least one instruction operable to cause the computer to inform the wireless access terminal of the at least one available unlicensed frequency for use to obtain at least the portion of the network access.

10. An apparatus for providing communication services, comprising:

means for receiving, at a first base station and on a licensed frequency, a communication request for network access from a wireless access terminal ;

means for determining at least one available unlicensed frequency corresponding to a location of the wireless access terminal;

means for partitioning at least a portion of the network access for the wireless access terminal to be via the at least one available unlicensed frequency; and

means for informing the wireless access terminal of the at least one available unlicensed frequency for use to obtain at least the portion of the network access.

11. A base station, comprising:

a processor configured to;

receive, on a licensed frequency, a communication request for network access from a wireless access terminal;

determine at least one available unlicensed frequency corresponding to a location of the wireless access terminal;

partition at least a portion of the network access for the wireless access terminal to be via the at least one available unlicensed frequency; and

inform the wireless access terminal of the at least one available unlicensed frequency for use to obtain at least the portion of the network access.

12. The base station of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to:

receive identification a plurality of desired communication service types;

partition the plurality of desired communication service types for use between the licensed frequency and the at least one available unlicensed frequency; and

inform the wireless access terminal of the at least one available unlicensed frequency for use with a first one of the plurality of desired communication service types and of a second one of the plurality of desired communication service types for use with the licensed frequency, based on the partitioning.

13. The base station of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to partition based on at least one of:

network load, or service plan corresponding to wireless access terminal, or a service plan corresponding to the wireless access terminal in combination with the network load, or a signal strength of the wireless access terminal or the first base station, or a signal strength of the wireless access terminal in combination with the network load, or a desired quality of service and an available quality of service.

14. The base station of claim 11, wherein the determining further comprises the processor performing at least one of:

requesting WS information from a WS information server in response to receiving the communication request;

or

determining a second base station corresponding to the location and operating on the available unlicensed frequency, and wherein the informing further comprises telling the wireless access terminal how to contact the second base station.

15. The base station of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to establish active calls with the wireless access terminal for the different services.

16. The base station of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to obtain WS information from a WS information server prior to receiving the communication request.

17. The base station of claim 11, wherein the communication request further comprises the location of the wireless access terminal based on operation of a location determining module on the wireless access terminal.

18. A method of performing a handoff of a communication call, comprising:

receiving notification, at a first base station operating on a licensed frequency, of a need to perform a handoff of a communication call of a wireless access terminal, wherein the communication call is on a first unlicensed frequency and is serviced by a second base station;

obtaining a location of the wireless access terminal;

identifying any base station operating in an unlicensed frequency spectrum and having a service area corresponding to the location of the wireless access terminal; and

providing to the wireless access terminal identification information for a target base station for use in handing off the communication call based on the identifying.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein determining the identification information further comprises obtaining whitespace information, and correlating the location of the wireless access terminal with the whitespace information.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the target base station comprises a third base station operating in the unlicensed frequency spectrum and having a service area corresponding to the location of the wireless access terminal, further comprising:

establishing a tunnel from the second base station to the target base station via the first base station; and

tunneling communications corresponding to the communication call from the second base station to the third base station via the tunnel.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein the providing comprises providing identification information corresponding to the first base station if no base station operating in an unlicensed frequency spectrum and having a service area corresponding to the location of the wireless access terminal is identified, and receiving a handoff of the communication call.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising handing off the communication call from the first base station to an identified base station operating in an unlicensed frequency spectrum and having a service area corresponding to the location of the wireless access terminal.

23. The method of claim 18, wherein receiving the notification further comprises receiving based upon a determination made by the wireless access terminal or the second base station.

24. The method of claim 18, wherein the providing further comprises selecting identified base stations further based on service information corresponding to the identified base stations.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the selecting further comprises selecting based on at least one of a communication link quality or a cost of service.

26. The method of claim 18, wherein the communication call on the first unlicensed frequency corresponds to a first sector of the second base station, wherein the second base station further comprises a second sector operating on a second unlicensed frequency different from the first unlicensed frequency, and further comprising obtaining AT-specific compatible or incompatible unlicensed frequency information, wherein the identifying further comprises identifying the second unlicensed frequency of the second sector if the second unlicensed frequency is compatible with the AT according to the AT-specific compatible or incompatible unlicensed frequency information.

27. The method of claim 18, wherein the communication call comprises a plurality of communication service types, and further comprising partitioning the plurality of communication service types for use between the first base station operating on the licensed frequency and a second base station operating on at least one available unlicensed frequency, wherein the providing of the target base station identifies the partitioning of the plurality of communication service types.

28. At least one processor configured to perform a handoff of a communication call, comprising:

a first module for receiving notification, at a first base station operating on a licensed frequency, of a need to perform a handoff of a communication call of a wireless access terminal, wherein the communication call is on a first unlicensed frequency and is serviced by a second base station;

a second module for obtaining a location of the wireless access terminal;

a third module for identifying any base station operating in an unlicensed frequency spectrum and having a service area corresponding to the location of the wireless access terminal; and

a fourth module for providing to the wireless access terminal an identification information for a target base station for use in handing off the communication call based on the identifying.

29. A computer program product configured to perform a handoff of a communication call, comprising:

a computer-readable medium, comprising;

at least one instruction operable to cause a computer to receive notification, at a first base station operating on a licensed frequency, of a need to perform a handoff of a communication call of a wireless access terminal, wherein the communication call is on a first unlicensed frequency and is serviced by a second base station;

at least one instruction operable to cause the computer to obtain a location of the wireless access terminal;

at least one instruction operable to cause the computer to identify any base station operating in an unlicensed frequency spectrum and having a service area corresponding to the location of the wireless access terminal; and

at least one instruction operable to cause the computer to provide to the wireless access terminal identification information for a target base station for use in handing off the communication call based on the identifying.

30. An apparatus configured for performing a handoff of a communication call, comprising:

means for receiving notification, at a first base station operating on a licensed frequency, of a need to perform a handoff of a communication call of a wireless access terminal, wherein the communication call is on a first unlicensed frequency and is serviced by a second base station;

means for obtaining a location of the wireless access terminal;

means for identifying any base station operating in an unlicensed frequency spectrum and having a service area corresponding to the location of the wireless access terminal; and

means for providing to the wireless access terminal identification information for a target base station for use in handing off the communication call based on the identifying.

31. A base station, comprising:

a processor configured to;

receive notification, at a first base station operating on a licensed frequency, of a need to perform a handoff of a communication call of a wireless access terminal, wherein the communication call is on a first unlicensed frequency and is serviced by a second base station;

obtain a location of the wireless access terminal;

identify any base station operating in an unlicensed frequency spectrum and having a service area corresponding to the location of the wireless access terminal; and

provide to the wireless access terminal identification information for a target base station for use in handing off the communication call based on the identifying.

32. A method of obtaining whitespace information, comprising:

caching a first version of the whitespace information at a first network infrastructure device located at a first infrastructure hierarchical level;

receiving an invalidation message corresponding to the first version of the whitespace information;

invalidating the first version of the cached whitespace information based on the invalidation message;

obtaining an updated, second version of the whitespace information at the network infrastructure device, wherein the obtaining is based on an infrastructure update protocol; and

informing a second infrastructure device located at a second infrastructure hierarchical level, according to the infrastructure update protocol, of the updated, second version of the whitespace information.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the first network infrastructure device and the second network infrastructure device comprises non-whitespace infrastructure devices.

34. The method of claim 32, wherein the first network infrastructure device and the second network infrastructure device comprises whitespace infrastructure devices.

35. The method of claim 32, wherein the second network infrastructure device comprises a base station and wherein the first network infrastructure device comprises a component hierarchically closer to the cached whitespace information than second network infrastructure device.

36. The method of claim 32, wherein receiving the invalidation message is triggered by the whitespace information server receiving updated whitespace information.

37. At least one processor configured for obtaining whitespace information, comprising:

a first module for caching a first version of the whitespace information at a first network infrastructure device located at a first infrastructure hierarchical level;

a second module for receiving an invalidation message corresponding to the first version of the whitespace information;

a third module for invalidating the first version of the cached whitespace information based on the invalidation message;

a fourth module for obtaining an updated, second version of the whitespace information at the network infrastructure device, wherein the obtaining is based on an infrastructure update protocol; and

a fifth module for informing a second infrastructure device located at a second infrastructure hierarchical level, according to the infrastructure update protocol, of the updated, second version of the whitespace information.

38. A computer program product configured for obtaining whitespace information, comprising:

a computer-readable medium, comprising;

at least one instruction operable to cause a computer to cache a first version of the whitespace information at a first network infrastructure device located at a first infrastructure hierarchical level;

at least one instruction operable to cause the computer to receive an invalidation message corresponding to the first version of the whitespace information;

at least one instruction operable to cause the computer to invalidate the first version of the cached whitespace information based on the invalidation message;

at least one instruction operable to cause the computer to obtain an updated, second version of the whitespace information at the network infrastructure device, wherein the obtaining is based on an infrastructure update protocol; and

at least one instruction operable to cause the computer to inform a second infrastructure device located at a second infrastructure hierarchical level, according to the infrastructure update protocol, of the updated, second version of the whitespace information.

39. An apparatus for obtaining whitespace information, comprising:

means for caching a first version of the whitespace information at a first network infrastructure device located at a first infrastructure hierarchical level;

means for receiving an invalidation message corresponding to the first version of the whitespace information;

means for invalidating the first version of the cached whitespace information based on the invalidation message;

means for obtaining an updated, second version of the whitespace information at the network infrastructure device, wherein the obtaining is based on an infrastructure update protocol; and

means for informing a second infrastructure device located at a second infrastructure hierarchical level, according to the infrastructure update protocol, of the updated, second version of the whitespace information.

40. A computer device, comprising:

a processor configured to;

cache a first version of the whitespace information at a first network infrastructure device located at a first infrastructure hierarchical level;

receive an invalidation message corresponding to the first version of the whitespace information;

invalidate the first version of the cached whitespace information based on the invalidation message;

obtain an updated, second version of the whitespace information at the network infrastructure device, wherein the obtaining is based on an infrastructure update protocol; and

inform a second infrastructure device located at a second infrastructure hierarchical level, according to the infrastructure update protocol, of the updated, second version of the whitespace information.

41. A method of peer-to-peer (P2P) communication, comprising:

receiving, at a first base station operating on a licensed frequency, a communication request for a communication session in an unlicensed frequency spectrum, wherein the communication request corresponds to a first wireless communication device having first location information and wherein the communication request identifies a second wireless communication device having second location information as a destination for the communication session;

transmitting one or more available unlicensed frequencies corresponding to the first location information and the second location information;

receiving an interference level for each of the available unlicensed frequencies;

and identifying one or more available unlicensed frequencies based on the determined interference level of each of the available unlicensed frequencies for establishing a peer-to-peer (P2P) communication.

42. The method of claim 41, further comprising:

directing a switching of the P2P communication to another one of the one or more available unlicensed frequencies based on a revised interference level for the one of the one or more available unlicensed frequencies on which the P2P communication is established.

43. The method of claim 41, further comprising receiving a revised interference level on the one of the one or more available unlicensed frequencies on which the P2P communication is established.

44. The method of claim 41, further comprising receiving a preferred available unlicensed frequency, wherein the identifying of the one or more available unlicensed frequencies further comprises identifying the preferred available unlicensed frequency for establishing a peer-to-peer (P2P) communication.

45. At least one processor configured for peer-to-peer (P2P) communication, comprising:

a first module for receiving, at a first base station operating on a licensed frequency, a communication request for a communication session in an unlicensed frequency spectrum, wherein the communication request corresponds to a first wireless communication device having first location information and wherein the communication request identifies a second wireless communication device having second location information as a destination for the communication session;

a second module for transmitting one or more available unlicensed frequencies corresponding to the first location information and the second location information;

a third module for receiving an interference level for each of the available unlicensed frequencies; and

a fourth module for identifying one of the one or more available unlicensed frequencies based on the determined interference level of each of the available unlicensed frequencies for establishing a peer-to-peer (P2P) communication.

46. A computer program product configured for peer-to-peer (P2P) communication, comprising:

a computer-readable medium, comprising;

at least one instruction operable to cause a computer to receive, at a first base station operating on a licensed frequency, a communication request for a communication session in an unlicensed frequency spectrum, wherein the communication request corresponds to a first wireless communication device having first location information and wherein the communication request identifies a second wireless communication device having second location information as a destination for the communication session;

at least one instruction operable to cause the computer to transmit one or more available unlicensed frequencies corresponding to the first location information and the second location information;

at least one instruction operable to cause the computer to receive an interference level for each of the available unlicensed frequencies; and

at least one instruction operable to cause the computer to identify one of the one or more available unlicensed frequencies based on the determined interference level of each of the available unlicensed frequencies for establishing a peer-to-peer (P2P) communication.

47. An apparatus for peer-to-peer (P2P) communication, comprising:

means for receiving, to a first base station operating on a licensed frequency, a communication request for a communication session in an unlicensed frequency spectrum, wherein the communication request corresponds to a first wireless communication device having first location information and wherein the communication request identifies a second wireless communication device having second location information as a destination for the communication session;

means for transmitting one or more available unlicensed frequencies corresponding to the first location information and the second location information;

means for receiving an interference level for each of the available unlicensed frequencies; and

means for identifying one of the one or more available unlicensed frequencies based on the determined interference level of each of the available unlicensed frequencies for establishing a peer-to-peer (P2P) communication.

48. A base station, comprising:

a processor configured to;

receive, at a first base station operating on a licensed frequency, a communication request for a communication session in an unlicensed frequency spectrum, wherein the communication request corresponds to a first wireless communication device having first location information and wherein the communication request identifies a second wireless communication device having second location information as a destination for the communication session;

transmit one or more available unlicensed frequencies corresponding to the first location information and the second location information;

receive an interference level for each of the available unlicensed frequencies; and

identify one of the one or more available unlicensed frequencies based on the determined interference level of each of the available unlicensed frequencies for establishing a peer-to-peer (P2P) communication.

49. A method of receiving venue-specific information, comprising:

obtaining, at an access terminal and from a first base station operating on a licensed frequency, broadcast channel information for a second base station operating in an unlicensed spectrum;

tuning to the broadcast channel of the second base station based on the broadcast channel information;

receiving a venue-specific message on the broadcast channel; and

storing or presenting the venue-specific message.

51. At least one processor for receiving venue-specific information, comprising:

a first module for obtaining, at an access terminal and from a first base station operating on a licensed frequency, broadcast channel information for a second base station operating in an unlicensed spectrum;

a second module for tuning to the broadcast channel of the second base station based on the broadcast channel information;

a third module for receiving a venue-specific message on the broadcast channel; and

a fourth module for storing or presenting the venue-specific message.

52. A computer program product for receiving venue-specific information, comprising:

a computer-readable medium, comprising;

at least one instruction operable to cause a computer to obtain, from a first base station operating on a licensed frequency, broadcast channel information for a second base station operating in an unlicensed spectrum;

at least one instruction operable to cause the computer to tune to the broadcast channel of the second base station based on the broadcast channel information;

at least one instruction operable to cause the computer to receive a venue-specific message on the broadcast channel; and

at least one instruction operable to cause the computer to store or present the venue-specific message.

53. An apparatus for receiving venue-specific information, comprising:

means for obtaining, at an access terminal and from a first base station operating on a licensed frequency, broadcast channel information for a second base station operating in an unlicensed spectrum;

means for tuning to the broadcast channel of the second base station based on the broadcast channel information;

means for receiving a venue-specific message on the broadcast channel; and

means for storing or presenting the venue-specific message.

54. An access terminal, comprising:

a processor configured to;

obtain, from a first base station operating on a licensed frequency, broadcast channel information for a second base station operating in an unlicensed spectrum;

tune to the broadcast channel of the second base station based on the broadcast channel information;

receive a venue-specific message on the broadcast channel; and

store or present the venue-specific message.