METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AVOIDING BSR PROCEDURE WHEN NO LTE NETWORK IS AVAILABLE

• US 20130051363A1
• Filed: 08/10/2012
• Published: 02/28/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Balasubramanian, Srinivasan, SWAMINATHAN, ARVIND
• Application Number:
  US13/572,398
• Publication Number:
  US 20130051363A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/331
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/16 Discovering, processing access restriction or access information
• 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

Abstract

Aspects disclosed herein relate to avoiding a better system reselection (BSR) procedure when no 3GPP (e.g., LTE based) network is available. In one example, a network entity may be equipped to determine that a geographic region (GEO) includes one or more cells that provide 3GPP coverage, and provision multi-mode system selection (MMSS) files to distinguish the GEO than includes one or more cells that support 3GPP coverage from one or more GEOs that do not include 3GPP coverage. Further, a user equipment (UE) may be equipped to detect initiation of a BSR procedure for a multimode UE currently being served by a 3GPP2 based network, and determine whether to scan for a 3GPP based network based on one or more MMSS files.

Claims

1. A method of wireless communications, comprising:

detecting initiation of a better system reselection (BSR) procedure for a multimode user equipment (UE) currently being served by a 3GPP2 based network; and

determining whether to scan for a 3GPP based network based on one or more multi-mode system selection (MMSS) files.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the MMSS files include a preferred roaming list (PRL), and wherein the determining whether to scan further comprises:

interpreting inclusion of an extended system record in the PRL to indicate that a 3GPP based network is available within a geographic region (GEO).

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the MMSS files include a PRL, and wherein the determining whether to scan further:

detecting an extended system record value for a GEO in which the multi-mode UE is present; and

determining that the extend system record value maps to a reserved mobile country code (MCC), wherein the reserved MCC is used to indicate that a GEO does not include 3GPP coverage;

or

determining that the extended system record value maps to a standard MCC, wherein the standard MCC is used to indicate that a GEO does include 3GPP coverage.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the extended record value references one or more MMSS location associated priority lists (MLPLs), wherein the reserved MCC and the standard MCC are included in different MLPL entries and reference different MMSS system priority lists (MSPLs), wherein the MSPL referenced by the reserved MCC lists 3GPP2 networks as highest priority, and wherein the MSPL referenced by the standard MCC lists 3GPP networks as highest priority.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the MMSS files include a PRL, wherein the PRL includes one or more entries that reference a MLPL, wherein the MLPL is provisioned with a first set of entries that indicate regions in which 3GPP coverage is available, and a second set of entries that indicate regions in which no 3GPP coverage is available, and wherein the determining whether to scan further comprises:

determining to scan for the 3GPP based when the multi-mode UE is within a region included in the first set of entries.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein each of the MLPL entries in the first set and second set include a system identifier (SID) and node identifier (NID) values.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the BSR procedure is initiated periodically by the multi-mode UE.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising scanning for a 3GPP based network upon a determination that the multi-mode UE is within a GEO that includes 3GPP coverage.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the 3GPP2 based network is a CDMA2000 network, and wherein the 3GPP based network is a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving an updated set of MMSS files from an operator, wherein the updated set of MMSS files includes updates to the one or more MMSS files.

11. A method of wireless communications, comprising:

determining that a GEO includes one or more cells that provide 3GPP coverage; and

provisioning MMSS files to distinguish the GEO than includes one or more cells that support 3GPP coverage from one or more GEOs that do not include 3GPP coverage.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the provisioning further comprises including an extended system record in a PRL to indicate that a 3GPP based network is available within a GEO.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the provisioning further comprises:

including an extended system record value for a GEO in which the multi-mode UE is present; and

provisioning that the extend system record value maps to a reserved MCC, wherein the reserved MCC is used to indicate that a GEO does not include 3GPP coverage;

or

provisioning that the extended system record value maps to a standard MCC, wherein the standard MCC is used to indicate that a GEO does include 3GPP coverage.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the provisioning further comprises provisioning a MLPL with a first set of entries that indicate regions in which 3GPP coverage is available, and a second set of entries that indicate regions in which no 3GPP coverage is available.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the determining further comprises converting a network map depicting 3GPP2 and 3GPP coverage regions into a map depicting one or more GEOs with 3GPP coverage and one or more GEOs without 3GPP coverage.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the determining further comprises provisioning the one or more GEOs with 3GPP coverage with an extended system record.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the determining further comprises:

grouping the one or more GEOs with 3GPP coverage in a first MLPL record; and

grouping the one or more GEOs without 3GPP coverage in a second MLPL record.

18. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising:

means for detecting initiation of a BSR procedure for a multimode UE currently being served by a 3GPP2 based network; and

means for determining whether to scan for a 3GPP based network based on one or more MMSS files.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the MMSS files include a PRL, and wherein the means for determining whether to scan further comprises means for interpreting inclusion of an extended system record in the PRL to indicate that a 3GPP based network is available within a GEO.

20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the MMSS files include a PRL, and wherein the means for determining whether to scan further comprises:

means for detecting an extended system record value for a GEO in which the multi-mode UE is present; and

means for determining that the extend system record value maps to a reserved MCC, wherein the reserved MCC is used to indicate that a GEO does not include 3GPP coverage;

or

means for determining that the extended system record value maps to a standard MCC, wherein the standard MCC is used to indicate that a GEO does include 3GPP coverage.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the extended record value references one or more MLPLs, wherein the reserved MCC and the standard MCC are included in different MLPL entries and reference different MSPLs, wherein the MSPL referenced by the reserved MCC lists 3GPP2 networks as highest priority, and wherein the MSPL referenced by the standard MCC lists 3GPP networks as highest priority.

22. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the MMSS files include a PRL, wherein the PRL includes one or more entries that reference a MLPL, wherein the MLPL is provisioned with a first set of entries that indicate regions in which 3GPP coverage is available, and a second set of entries that indicate regions in which no 3GPP coverage is available, and wherein the means for determining whether to scan further comprises:

means for determining to scan for the 3GPP based when the multi-mode UE is within a region included in the first set of entries.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein each of the MLPL entries in the first set and second set include a system identifier SID/NID values.

24. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the BSR procedure is initiated periodically by the multi-mode UE.

25. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising means for scanning for a 3GPP based network upon a determination that the multi-mode UE is within a GEO that includes 3GPP coverage.

26. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the 3GPP2 based network is a CDMA2000 network, and wherein the 3GPP based network is a LTE network.

27. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising means for receiving an updated set of MMSS files from an operator, wherein the updated set of MMSS files includes updates to the one or more MMSS files.

28. An apparatus for wireless communications, comprising:

means for determining that a GEO includes one or more cells that provide 3GPP coverage; and

means for provisioning MMSS files to distinguish the GEO than includes one or more cells that support 3GPP coverage from one or more GEOs that do not include 3GPP coverage.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the means for provisioning further comprises means for including an extended system record in a PRL to indicate that a 3GPP based network is available within a GEO.

30. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the means for provisioning further comprises:

means for including an extended system record value for a GEO in which the multi-mode UE is present; and

means for provisioning that the extend system record value maps to a reserved MCC, wherein the reserved MCC is used to indicate that a GEO does not include 3GPP coverage;

or

means for provisioning that the extended system record value maps to a standard MCC, wherein the standard MCC is used to indicate that a GEO does include 3GPP coverage.

31. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the means for provisioning further comprises means for provisioning a MLPL with a first set of entries that indicate regions in which 3GPP coverage is available, and a second set of entries that indicate regions in which no 3GPP coverage is available.

32. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the means for determining further comprises means for converting a network map depicting 3GPP2 and 3GPP coverage regions into a map depicting one or more GEOs with 3GPP coverage and one or more GEOs without 3GPP coverage.

33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the means for determining further comprises means for provisioning the one or more GEOs with 3GPP coverage with an extended system record.

34. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the means for determining further comprises:

means for grouping the one or more GEOs with 3GPP coverage in a first MLPL record; and

means for grouping the one or more GEOs without 3GPP coverage in a second MLPL record.

35. A computer program product, comprising:

a computer-readable medium comprising code for;

detecting initiation of a BSR procedure for a multimode UE currently being served by a 3GPP2 based network; and

determining whether to scan for a 3GPP based network based on one or more MMSS files.

36. The computer program product of claim 35, wherein the MMSS files include a PRL, and wherein the code for determining whether to scan further comprises code for interpreting inclusion of an extended system record in the PRL to indicate that a 3GPP based network is available within a GEO.

37. The computer program product of claim 35, wherein the MMSS files include a PRL, and wherein the code for determining whether to scan further comprises code for:

detecting an extended system record value for a GEO in which the multi-mode UE is present; and

determining that the extend system record value maps to a reserved MCC, wherein the reserved MCC is used to indicate that a GEO does not include 3GPP coverage;

or

determining that the extended system record value maps to a standard MCC, wherein the standard MCC is used to indicate that a GEO does include 3GPP coverage.

38. The computer program product of claim 37, wherein the extended record value references one or more MLPLs, wherein the reserved MCC and the standard MCC are included in different MLPL entries and reference different MSPLs, wherein the MSPL referenced by the reserved MCC lists 3GPP2 networks as highest priority, and wherein the MSPL referenced by the standard MCC lists 3GPP networks as highest priority.

39. The computer program product of claim 35, wherein the MMSS files include a PRL, wherein the PRL includes one or more entries that reference a MLPL, wherein the MLPL is provisioned with a first set of entries that indicate regions in which 3GPP coverage is available, and a second set of entries that indicate regions in which no 3GPP coverage is available, and wherein the code for determining whether to scan further comprises code for:

determining to scan for the 3GPP based when the multi-mode UE is within a region included in the first set of entries.

40. The computer program product of claim 39, wherein each of the MLPL entries in the first set and second set include a SID/NID values.

41. The computer program product of claim 35, wherein the BSR procedure is initiated periodically by the multi-mode UE.

42. The computer program product of claim 35, wherein the computer readable medium further comprises code for scanning for a 3GPP based network upon a determination that the multi-mode UE is within a GEO that includes 3GPP coverage.

43. The computer program product of claim 35, wherein the 3GPP2 based network is a CDMA2000 network, and wherein the 3GPP based network is a LTE network.

44. The computer program product of claim 35, wherein the computer readable medium further comprises code for receiving an updated set of MMSS files from an operator, wherein the updated set of MMSS files includes updates to the one or more MMSS files.

45. A computer program product, comprising:

a computer readable medium comprising code for;

determining that a GEO includes one or more cells that provide 3GPP coverage; and

provisioning MMSS files to distinguish the GEO than includes one or more cells that support 3GPP coverage from one or more GEOs that do not include 3GPP coverage.

46. The computer program product of claim 45, wherein the code for provisioning further comprises code for including an extended system record in a PRL to indicate that a 3GPP based network is available within a GEO.

47. The computer program product of claim 45, wherein the code for provisioning further comprises code for:

including an extended system record value for a GEO in which the multi-mode UE is present; and

provisioning that the extend system record value maps to a reserved MCC, wherein the reserved MCC is used to indicate that a GEO does not include 3GPP coverage;

or

provisioning that the extended system record value maps to a standard MCC, wherein the standard MCC is used to indicate that a GEO does include 3GPP coverage.

48. The computer program product of claim 45, wherein the code for provisioning further comprises code for provisioning a MLPL with a first set of entries that indicate regions in which 3GPP coverage is available, and a second set of entries that indicate regions in which no 3GPP coverage is available.

49. The computer program product of claim 45, wherein the computer readable medium further comprises code for converting a network map depicting 3GPP2 and 3GPP coverage regions into a map depicting one or more GEOs with 3GPP coverage and one or more GEOs without 3GPP coverage.

50. The computer program product of claim 49, wherein the computer readable medium further comprises code for provisioning the one or more GEOs with 3GPP coverage with an extended system record.

51. The computer program product of claim 49, wherein the computer readable medium further comprises code for:

grouping the one or more GEOs with 3GPP coverage in a first MLPL record; and

grouping the one or more GEOs without 3GPP coverage in a second MLPL record.

52. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising:

a processing system configured to;

detect initiation of a BSR procedure for a multimode UE currently being served by a 3GPP2 based network; and

determine whether to scan for a 3GPP based network based on one or more MMSS files.

53. The apparatus of claim 52, wherein the MMSS files include a PRL, and wherein the processing system is further operable to interpret inclusion of an extended system record in the PRL to indicate that a 3GPP based network is available within a GEO.

54. The apparatus of claim 52, wherein the MMSS files include a PRL, and wherein the processing system is further operable to:

detect an extended system record value for a GEO in which the multi-mode UE is present; and

determine that the extend system record value maps to a reserved MCC, wherein the reserved MCC is used to indicate that a GEO does not include 3GPP coverage;

or

determine that the extended system record value maps to a standard MCC, wherein the standard MCC is used to indicate that a GEO does include 3GPP coverage.

55. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein the extended record value references one or more MLPLs, wherein the reserved MCC and the standard MCC are included in different MLPL entries and reference different MSPLs, wherein the MSPL referenced by the reserved MCC lists 3GPP2 networks as highest priority, and wherein the MSPL referenced by the standard MCC lists 3GPP networks as highest priority.

56. The apparatus of claim 52, wherein the MMSS files include a PRL, wherein the PRL includes one or more entries that reference a MLPL, wherein the MLPL is provisioned with a first set of entries that indicate regions in which 3GPP coverage is available, and a second set of entries that indicate regions in which no 3GPP coverage is available, and wherein the processing system is further operable to:

determine to scan for the 3GPP based when the multi-mode UE is within a region included in the first set of entries.

57. The apparatus of claim 56, wherein each of the MLPL entries in the first set and second set include a system identifier SID/NID values.

58. The apparatus of claim 52, wherein the BSR procedure is initiated periodically by the multi-mode UE.

59. The apparatus of claim 52, wherein the processing system is further operable to scan for a 3GPP based network upon a determination that the multi-mode UE is within a GEO that includes 3GPP coverage.

60. The apparatus of claim 52, wherein the 3GPP2 based network is a CDMA2000 network, and wherein the 3GPP based network is a LTE network.

61. The apparatus of claim 52, wherein the processing system is further operable to receive an updated set of MMSS files from an operator, wherein the updated set of MMSS files includes updates to the one or more MMSS files.

62. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising:

a processing system configured to;

determine that a GEO includes one or more cells that provide 3GPP coverage; and

provision MMSS files to distinguish the GEO than includes one or more cells that support 3GPP coverage from one or more GEOs that do not include 3GPP coverage.

63. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein the processing system is further configured to include an extended system record in a PRL to indicate that a 3GPP based network is available within a GEO.

64. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein the processing system is further configured to:

include an extended system record value for a GEO in which the multi-mode UE is present; and

provision that the extend system record value maps to a reserved MCC, wherein the reserved MCC is used to indicate that a GEO does not include 3GPP coverage;

or

provision that the extended system record value maps to a standard MCC, wherein the standard MCC is used to indicate that a GEO does include 3GPP coverage.

65. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein the processing system is further configured to provision a MLPL with a first set of entries that indicate regions in which 3GPP coverage is available, and a second set of entries that indicate regions in which no 3GPP coverage is available.

66. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein the processing system is further configured to convert a network map depicting 3GPP2 and 3GPP coverage regions into a map depicting one or more GEOs with 3GPP coverage and one or more GEOs without 3GPP coverage.

67. The apparatus of claim 66, wherein the processing system is further configured to provision the one or more GEOs with 3GPP coverage with an extended system record.

68. The apparatus of claim 66, wherein the processing system is further configured to:

group the one or more GEOs with 3GPP coverage in a first MLPL record; and

group the one or more GEOs without 3GPP coverage in a second MLPL record.