SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR FAST INITIAL NETWORK LINK SETUP

• US 20130111044A1
• Filed: 10/26/2012
• Published: 05/02/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Cherian, George, Abraham, Santosh Paul, Merlin, Simone
• Granted Patent: US 9,814,085 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/228
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/10 for controlling access to devices or network resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1066 Session management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/12 using downlink control channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/16 Discovering, processing access restriction or access information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/00 Connection management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/11 Allocation or use of connection identifiers
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/10 adapted for operation in multiple networks, e.g. multi-mode access points
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/10 between terminal device and access point, i.e. wireless air interface

Abstract

Systems and methods for communicating in a wireless communication system are described. Various processes for reducing the initial link set up time are described. In aspect a method in a wireless communication system is provided. The method includes transmitting two or more network domain identifiers from an access point, each of the network domain identifiers being associated with a respective network service. The method further includes receiving an access request message for establishing the network service associated with at least one of the transmitted network domain identifiers.

Claims

1. A method of reducing signaling during link setup in a wireless communication system, the method comprising:

transmitting, from an access point, at least first and second network domain identifiers, each of the network domain identifiers being associated with a respective network service, the network domain identifiers having a first number of bits;

receiving, from a first device, an access request message for establishing the network service associated with at least one of the network domain identifiers, the access request message comprising a third network domain identifier associated with a plurality of network services, the third network domain identifier comprising a sequence of bits based on the first or second identifier, the bit length of the sequence of bits being less than the first number of bits; and

broadcasting, from the access point, to a plurality of devices comprising the first device, an access response message establishing a link with the first device and comprising the first identifier, in response to receiving the access request message.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the first and second network domain identifiers is through transmission of a beacon signal from the access point.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the first and second network domain identifiers is through transmission of a probe response being made in response to a probe request from the first device.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising assigning one or more network domain identifiers to the access point.

5. An apparatus configured to reduce signaling during link setup in a wireless communication system, the apparatus comprising:

a transmitter configured to transmit least first and second network domain identifiers, each of the network domain identifiers being associated with a respective network service, the network domain identifiers having a first number of bits; and

a receiver configured to receive, from a first device, an access request message for establishing the network service associated with at least one of the network domain identifiers, the access request message comprising a third network domain identifier associated with a plurality of network services, the third network domain identifier comprising a sequence of bits based on the first or second identifier, the bit length of the sequence of bits being less than the first number of bits,

wherein the transmitter is further configured to broadcast, to a plurality of devices comprising the first device, an access response message establishing a link with the first device and comprising the first identifier, in response to receiving the access request message.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein transmitting the first and second network domain identifiers is through transmission of a beacon signal from the apparatus.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein transmitting the first and second network domain identifiers is through transmission of a probe response being made in response to a probe request from the first device.

8. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a processor configured to assign one or more network domain identifiers to the apparatus.

9. An apparatus for reducing signaling during link setup in a wireless communication system, the apparatus comprising:

means for transmitting, from an access point, at least first and second network domain identifiers, each of the network domain identifiers being associated with a respective network service, the network domain identifiers having a first number of bits;

means for receiving, from a first device, an access request message for establishing the network service associated with at least one of the network domain identifiers, the access request message comprising a third network domain identifier associated with a plurality of network services, the third network domain identifier comprising a sequence of bits based on the first or second identifier, the bit length of the sequence of bits being less than the first number of bits; and

means for broadcasting, from the access point, to a plurality of devices comprising the first device, an access response message establishing a link with the first device and comprising the first identifier, in response to receiving the access request message.

10. A computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions executable by a processor of an apparatus in a wireless communication system, the instructions causing the apparatus to:

transmit, from an access point, at least first and second network domain identifiers, each of the network domain identifiers being associated with a respective network service, the network domain identifiers having a first number of bits;

receive, from a first device, an access request message for establishing the network service associated with at least one of the network domain identifiers, the access request message comprising a third network domain identifier associated with a plurality of network services, the third network domain identifier comprising a sequence of bits based on the first or second identifier, the bit length of the sequence of bits being less than the first number of bits; and

broadcast, from the access point, to a plurality of devices comprising the first device, an access response message establishing a link with the first device and comprising the first identifier, in response to receiving the access request message.

11. A method of reducing signaling during link setup in a wireless communication system, the method comprising:

receiving, at a wireless communication device, at least first and second network domain identifiers, each of the network domain identifiers being associated with a respective network service, the network domain identifiers having a first number of bits;

transmitting, to a first access point, an access request message for establishing the network service associated with at least one of the network domain identifiers, the access request message comprising a third network domain identifier associated with a plurality of network services, the third network domain identifier comprising a sequence of bits based on the first or second identifier, the bit length of the sequence of bits being less than the first number of bits an access request message for establishing the network service associated with at least one of the transmitted network domain identifiers; and

receiving, from a second access point, a broadcast access response message establishing the network service and comprising the second network domain identifier, the second network domain identifier comprising the third network domain identifier combined with an additional identifier.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein receiving the network domain identifiers is through reception of a beacon signal from the access point.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein receiving the network domain identifiers is through reception of a probe response being made in response to a probe request from a wireless access terminal.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein multiple access points are configured to establish the link based on the first identifier.

15. An apparatus configured to reduce signaling during link setup in a wireless communication system, the apparatus comprising:

a receiver configured to receive at least first and second network domain identifiers, each of the network domain identifiers being associated with a respective network service, the network domain identifiers having a first number of bits; and

a transmitter configured to transmit, to a first access point, an access request message for establishing the network service associated with at least one of the network domain identifiers, the access request message comprising a third network domain identifier associated with a plurality of network services, the third network domain identifier comprising a sequence of bits based on the first or second identifier, the bit length of the sequence of bits being less than the first number of bits an access request message for establishing the network service associated with at least one of the transmitted network domain identifiers,

wherein the receiver is further configured to receive, from a second access point, a broadcast access response message establishing the network service and comprising the second network domain identifier, the second network domain identifier comprising the third network domain identifier combined with an additional identifier.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein receiving the network domain identifiers is through reception of a beacon signal from the access point.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein receiving the network domain identifiers is through reception of a probe response being made in response to a probe request from a wireless access terminal.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein multiple access points are configured to establish the link based on the first identifier.

19. An apparatus for reducing signaling during link setup in a wireless communication system, the apparatus comprising:

means for receiving, at a wireless communication device, at least first and second network domain identifiers, each of the network domain identifiers being associated with a respective network service, the network domain identifiers having a first number of bits;

means for transmitting, to a first access point, an access request message for establishing the network service associated with at least one of the network domain identifiers, the access request message comprising a third network domain identifier associated with a plurality of network services, the third network domain identifier comprising a sequence of bits based on the first or second identifier, the bit length of the sequence of bits being less than the first number of bits an access request message for establishing the network service associated with at least one of the transmitted network domain identifiers; and

means for receiving, from a second access point, a broadcast access response message establishing the network service and comprising the second network domain identifier, the second network domain identifier comprising the third network domain identifier combined with an additional identifier.

20. A computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions executable by a processor of an apparatus in a wireless communication system, the instructions causing the apparatus to:

receive, at a wireless communication device, at least first and second network domain identifiers, each of the network domain identifiers being associated with a respective network service, the network domain identifiers having a first number of bits;

transmit, to a first access point, an access request message for establishing the network service associated with at least one of the network domain identifiers, the access request message comprising a third network domain identifier associated with a plurality of network services, the third network domain identifier comprising a sequence of bits based on the first or second identifier, the bit length of the sequence of bits being less than the first number of bits an access request message for establishing the network service associated with at least one of the transmitted network domain identifiers; and

receive, from a second access point, a broadcast access response message establishing the network service and comprising the second network domain identifier, the second network domain identifier comprising the third network domain identifier combined with an additional identifier.

21. A method of reducing signaling during link setup in a wireless communication system, the method comprising:

transmitting two or more network domain identifiers from an access point, each of the network domain identifiers being associated with a respective network service; and

receiving an access request message for establishing the network service associated with at least one of the transmitted network domain identifiers.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein transmitting the network domain identifiers is through transmission of a beacon signal from the access point.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein transmitting the network domain identifiers is through transmission of a probe response being made in response to a probe request from a wireless access terminal.

24. The method of claim 21, further comprising assigning one or more network domain identifiers to the access point.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising:

establishing the network service for a wireless communication device if the received one of the network domain identifiers is included in the assigned network domain identifiers.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the access request message comprises a probe request comprising the network domain identifier in a network identifier information element.

27. The method of claim 21, wherein transmitting the network domain identifiers is through transmission of a network identifier information element.

28. The method of claim 21, wherein at least one network domain identifier comprises a value identifying one of a network operator, a telecommunication service provider, an application, a class for an application, or a universal resource location.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the class for an application comprises at least one of chat, text, video, and multimedia.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein the universal resource location comprises a website address.

31. A device configured to reduce signaling during link setup in a wireless communication system, the device comprising:

a transmitter configured to transmit two or more network domain identifiers from an access point, each of the network domain identifiers being associated with a respective network service; and

a receiver configured to receive an access request message for establishing the network service associated with at least one of the transmitted network domain identifiers.

32. The device of claim 31, wherein transmitting the network domain identifiers is through transmission of a beacon signal from the access point.

33. The device of claim 31, wherein transmitting the network domain identifiers is through transmission of a probe response being made in response to a probe request from a wireless access terminal.

34. The device of claim 31, wherein the device comprises an access point.

35. The device of claim 31, further comprising a processor configured to assign one or more network domain identifiers to the device.

36. The device of claim 35, wherein the transmitter is further configured to transmit a message to establish the network service for a wireless communication device if the received one of the network domain identifiers is included in the assigned network domain identifiers.

37. The device of claim 36, wherein the access request message comprises a probe request comprising the network domain identifier in a network identifier information element.

38. The device of claim 31, wherein transmitting the network domain identifiers is through transmission of network identifier information element.

39. The device of claim 31, wherein at least one network domain identifier comprises a value identifying one of a network operator, a telecommunication service provider, an application, a class for an application, or a universal resource location.

40. The device of claim 39, wherein the class for an application comprises at least one of chat, text, video, and multimedia.

41. The device of claim 39, wherein the universal resource location comprises a website address.

42. A computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions executable by a processor of an apparatus in a wireless communication system, the instructions causing the apparatus to:

transmit two or more network domain identifiers from an access point, each of the network domain identifiers being associated with a respective network service; and

receive an access request message for establishing the network service associated with at least one of the transmitted network domain identifiers.

43. An apparatus for reducing signaling during link setup in a wireless communication system, the apparatus comprising:

means for transmitting two or more network domain identifiers from an access point, each of the network domain identifiers being associated with a respective network service; and

means for receiving an access request message for establishing the network service associated with at least one of the transmitted network domain identifiers.

44. A method of reducing signaling during link setup in a wireless communication system, the method comprising:

receiving two or more network domain identifiers from an access point, each of the network domain identifiers being associated with a respective network service; and

transmitting an access request message for establishing the network service associated with at least one of the transmitted network domain identifiers.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein receiving the network domain identifiers is through reception of a beacon signal from the access point.

46. The method of claim 44, wherein receiving the network domain identifiers is through reception of a probe response being made in response to a probe request from a wireless access terminal.

47. The method of claim 44, wherein the access request message comprises a probe request.

48. The method of claim 44, wherein receiving the network domain identifiers is through reception of a network identifier information element.

49. The method of claim 44, wherein transmitting the access request message is based on a capability associated with the network service.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein the capability includes at least one of a radio access technology for the network service and an expected bandwidth of the network service.

51. The method of claim 49, wherein the capability is obtained from at least one of a memory included in the wireless communication device and a network service by the wireless communication device.

52. The method of claim 51, wherein the receiving the capability is through reception of a beacon signal.

53. The method of claim 51, wherein the receiving the capability is through reception of a probe response.

54. The method of claim 44, wherein at least one network domain identifier comprises a value identifying one of a network operator, a telecommunication service provider, an application, a class for an application, or a universal resource location.

55. The method of claim 54, wherein the class for an application comprises at least one of chat, text, video, and multimedia.

56. The method of claim 54, wherein the universal resource location comprises a website address.

57. A device configured to reduce signaling during link setup in a wireless communication system, the device comprising:

a receiver configured to receive two or more network domain identifiers from an access point, each of the network domain identifiers being associated with a respective network service; and

a transmitter configured to transmit an access request message for establishing the network service associated with at least one of the transmitted network domain identifiers.

58. The device of claim 57, wherein receiving the network domain identifiers is through reception of a beacon signal from the access point.

59. The device of claim 57, wherein receiving the network domain identifiers is through reception of a probe response being made in response to a probe request from a wireless access terminal.

60. The device of claim 57, wherein the access request message comprises a probe request.

61. The device of claim 57, wherein receiving the network domain identifiers is through reception of a network identifier information element.

62. The device of claim 57, wherein transmitting the access request message is based on a capability associated with the network service.

63. The device of claim 62, wherein the capability includes at least one of a radio access technology for the network service and an expected bandwidth of the network service.

64. The device of claim 62, wherein the capability is obtained from at least one of a memory included in the wireless communication device and a network service by the wireless communication device.

65. The device of claim 64, wherein the receiving the capability is through reception of a beacon signal.

66. The device of claim 64, wherein the receiving the capability is through reception of a probe response.

67. The device of claim 57, wherein at least one network domain identifier comprises a value identifying one of a network operator, a telecommunication service provider, an application, a class for an application, or a universal resource location.

68. The device of claim 67, wherein the class for an application comprises at least one of chat, text, video, and multimedia.

69. The device of claim 67, wherein the universal resource location comprises a website address.

70. An apparatus for reducing signaling during link setup in a wireless communication system, the apparatus comprising:

means for receiving two or more network domain identifiers from an access point, each of the network domain identifiers being associated with a respective network service; and

means for transmitting an access request message for establishing the network service associated with at least one of the transmitted network domain identifiers.

71. A computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions executable by a processor of an apparatus in a wireless communication system, the instructions causing the apparatus to:

receive two or more network domain identifiers from an access point, each of the network domain identifiers being associated with a respective network service; and

transmit an access request message for establishing the network service associated with at least one of the transmitted network domain identifiers.