METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SWITCHING A RADIO ACCESS TECHNOLOGY BETWEEN WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS WITH A MULTI-MODE WIRELESS TRANSMIT/RECEIVE UNIT

• US 20110182270A1
• Filed: 04/11/2011
• Published: 07/28/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Interdigital Technology Corporation (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Interdigital Technology Corporation (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Inventors: Terry, Stephen E., Shaheen, Kamel M., Kiernan, Brian Gregory
• Granted Patent: US 9,380,501 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/331
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/005 involving radio access media independent information, e.g. MIH [Media independent Hand-off]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0061 of neighbour cell information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/04 Reselecting a cell layer in multi-layered cells
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/14 Reselecting a network or an air interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/1446 wherein at least one of the networks is unlicensed
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/20 Selecting an access point
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/02 Inter-networking arrangements

Abstract

A method and system for switching a radio access technology (RAT) between wireless communication systems connected to each other while implementing different RATs with a multi-mode WTRU are disclosed. A plurality of wireless communication systems are deployed with overlapping coverage areas wherein each system implements different RATs and are connected to each other such that a service that is provided by one system may be provided through the other system. Each wireless communication system transmits an indication of the existence of an inter-working wireless communication system in a coverage area of each system. The WTRU receives the indication and information regarding the inter-working wireless communication system. The WTRU then initiates a handoff to the inter-working wireless communication system using the received information, whereby the WTRU continues to receive the same services that the WTRU receives from the currently connected wireless communication system through the inter-working wireless communication system.

Claims

1. A method for use in a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), the method comprising:

the WTRU receiving a service from a core network via a cellular radio access network;

the WTRU sending a first message via the cellular radio access network, wherein the first message indicates that the WTRU is capable of communicating using wireless local area network (WLAN) technology;

the WTRU receiving a second message via the cellular radio access network, wherein the second message is responsive to the first message and includes identifiers of two or more wireless networks;

the WTRU initiating a handover to a wireless network from the two or more wireless networks;

the WTRU performing the handover to the wireless network; and

the WTRU receiving the service from the core network via the wireless network.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the two or more wireless networks are WLANs, and wherein the identifiers are Service Set Identifiers (SSIDs).

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the receiving the service via the wireless network includes receiving the service via a packet data gateway (PDG).

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the second message includes location information for the two or more wireless networks.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining to initiate the handover to the wireless network based on a channel quality measurement.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining to initiate the handover to the wireless network based on input from a user of the WTRU.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining to initiate the handover to the wireless network based on requirements of the service.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the cellular radio access network is based on Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) technology.

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

circuitry configured to receive a service from a core network via a cellular radio access network;

circuitry configured to send a first message via the cellular radio access network, wherein the first message indicates that the WTRU is capable of communicating using wireless local area network (WLAN) technology;

circuitry configured to receive a second message via the cellular radio access network, wherein the second message is responsive to the first message and includes identifiers of two or more wireless networks;

circuitry configured to initiate a handover to a wireless network from the two or more wireless networks;

circuitry configured to perform the handover to the wireless network; and

circuitry configured to receive the service from the core network via the wireless network.

10. The WTRU of claim 9, wherein the two or more wireless networks are WLANs, and wherein the identifiers are Service Set Identifiers (SSIDs).

11. The WTRU of claim 10, wherein the circuitry configured to receive the service from the core network via the wireless network is configured to receive the service via a packet data gateway (PDG).

12. The WTRU of claim 9, wherein the second message includes location information for the two or more wireless networks.

13. The WTRU of claim 9, further comprising:

circuitry configured to determine to initiate the handover to the wireless network based on a channel quality measurement.

14. The WTRU of claim 9, further comprising:

circuitry configured to determine to initiate the handover to the wireless network based on input from a user of the WTRU.

15. The WTRU of claim 9, further comprising:

circuitry configured to determine to initiate the handover to the wireless network based on requirements of the service.

16. The WTRU of claim 9, wherein the cellular radio access network is based on Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) technology.