SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR EFFICIENT USE OF RADIO RESOURCES FOR PUSH-TO- TALK SERVICES IN MOBILE WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS

• US 20130315164A1
• Filed: 05/24/2013
• Published: 11/28/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hughes Network Systems LLC (Echostar Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Hughes Network Systems LLC (Echostar Corporation)
• Inventors: ARUR, Deepak, RAVISHANKAR, Channasandra, BENAMMAR, Nassir, ZAKARIA, Gaguk, Mirra, Steve
• Granted Patent: US 9,398,427 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/329
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/10 Push-to-Talk [PTT] or Push-On-Call services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/40 for selective distribution or broadcast

Abstract

A resource efficient approach for push-to-talk (PTT) services over a mobile communications network is provided. A remote terminal (UT) receives a command for initiating a PTT session. The UT generates a RAB binding create message, including a PTT session identifier and RAB binding information, and transmits the RAB binding create message to a wireless gateway. The UT receives a RAB binding response from the wireless gateway, and performs a protocol signaling process for establishing PDP bearers, and for establishing the PTT session on a PTT server. The UT receives a command for initiation of media transmission for the PTT session, generates talk burst (TB) request message, and transmits the request message to the wireless gateway (the TB request message is transmitted via media access control (MAC) layer control messaging). In response, the UT receives a talk burst grant message from the wireless gateway.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving, by a remote wireless terminal, a command for initiation of media transmission for a push-to-talk (PTT) session over a mobile communications network;

generating, by the remote wireless terminal, a UT talk burst request message, and transmitting the UT talk burst request message to a wireless gateway of the mobile communications network, wherein the UT talk burst request message is transmitted via media access control (MAC) layer control messaging; and

receiving, in response to the UT talk burst request message, a talk burst grant message from the wireless gateway.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the UT talk burst request message includes terminal identification information and radio bearer flow identification information.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving, by the remote wireless terminal, in further response to the UT talk burst request message, an uplink channel resource allocation message, pre-assigning guaranteed uplink data resources for transmission of PTT session media data.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the uplink channel resource allocation message is received via the MAC layer control messaging.

5. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

receiving, by the remote wireless terminal, a command for termination of the media transmission for the PTT session;

generating, by the remote wireless terminal, a UT talk burst release message, and transmitting the UT talk burst release message to the wireless gateway, wherein the UT talk burst release message is transmitted via the MAC layer control messaging over the wireless channel; and

receiving, in response to the UT talk burst release message, a talk burst revoke message from the wireless gateway.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising, prior to the receipt by the remote wireless terminal of the command for initiation of media transmission for the PTT session:

receiving, by the remote wireless terminal, a user command for initiation of the PTT session, including a PTT session identifier;

generating a radio access bearer (RAB) binding create message, including the PTT session identifier and RAB binding information that provides information for associating the PTT session with respective radio access bearers (RABs);

transmitting the RAB binding create message to the wireless gateway;

receiving, in response to the RAB binding create message, a RAB binding response message from the wireless gateway; and

performing a protocol signaling process for establishing one or more packet data protocol (PDP) bearers over a core network of the communications network, and for establishment of the PTT session on a PTT application server.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the RAB binding information comprises one or more of RAB identifiers, application type identifiers identifying one or more application types that will utilize the associated RABs, and application-specific information, wherein the application-specific information includes one or more of PTT session signaling mode information, PTT channel information, PTT group information and PTT session information.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising, prior to the receipt by the remote wireless terminal of the command for initiation of media transmission for the PTT session:

receiving, by the remote wireless terminal, a session invite message from a PTT application server for the PTT session, including a PTT session identifier;

generating a radio access bearer (RAB) binding create message, including the PTT session identifier and RAB binding information that provides information for associating the PTT session with respective radio access bearers (RABs);

transmitting the RAB binding create message to the wireless gateway;

receiving, in response to the RAB binding create message, a RAB binding response message from the wireless gateway; and

performing a protocol signaling process for establishing one or more packet data protocol (PDP) bearers over a core network of the communications network, and for establishment of the PTT session on the PTT application server.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the RAB binding information comprises one or more of RAB identifiers, application type identifiers identifying one or more application types that will utilize the associated RABs, and application-specific information, wherein the application-specific information includes one or more of PTT session signaling mode information, PTT channel information, PTT group information and PTT session information.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising, prior to the receipt by the remote wireless terminal of the command for initiation of media transmission for the PTT session:

receiving, by the remote wireless terminal, a user command for initiation of a PTT client;

generating a radio access bearer (RAB) binding create message, including RAB binding information that provides information for associating the PTT session with respective radio access bearers (RABs);

transmitting the RAB binding create message to the wireless gateway;

receiving, in response to the RAB binding create message, a first RAB binding response message from the wireless gateway;

performing a protocol signaling process for establishing one or more packet data protocol (PDP) bearers over a core network of the communications network, and for establishment of a pre-established session on a PTT application server;

receiving, by the remote wireless terminal, a user command for initiation of the PTT session;

generating a RAB binding update message, including a PTT session identifier;

transmitting the RAB binding update message to the wireless gateway;

receiving, in response to the RAB binding update message, a second RAB binding response message from the wireless gateway; and

performing a protocol signaling process for associating the PTT session with the pre-established session based on the PTT session identifier.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the RAB binding information comprises one or more of RAB identifiers, application type identifiers identifying one or more application types that will utilize the associated RABs, and application-specific information, wherein the application-specific information includes one or more of PTT session signaling mode information, PTT channel information, PTT group information and PTT session information.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

receiving, by the remote wireless terminal, in further response to the RAB binding update message, a downlink channel resource allocation message, pre-assigning guaranteed downlink data resources for receipt of PTT session media data.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the downlink channel resource allocation message is received via the MAC layer control messaging.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising, prior to the receipt by the remote wireless terminal of the command for initiation of media transmission for the PTT session:

receiving, by the remote wireless terminal, a user command for initiation of a PTT client;

generating a radio access bearer (RAB) binding create message, including RAB binding information that provides information for associating the PTT session with respective radio access bearers (RABs);

transmitting the RAB binding create message to the wireless gateway;

receiving, in response to the RAB binding create message, a first RAB binding response message from the wireless gateway;

performing a protocol signaling process for establishing one or more packet data protocol (PDP) bearers over a core network of the communications network, and for establishment of a pre-established session on a PTT application server;

receiving, by the remote wireless terminal, a talk burst control connect message from the PTT application server, including a PTT session identifier;

generating a RAB binding update message, including the PTT session identifier;

transmitting the RAB binding update message to the wireless gateway; and

receiving, in response to the RAB binding update message, a second RAB binding response message from the wireless gateway.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the RAB binding information comprises one or more of RAB identifiers, application type identifiers identifying one or more application types that will utilize the associated RABs, and application-specific information, wherein the application-specific information includes one or more of PTT session signaling mode information, PTT channel information, PTT group information and PTT session information.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

receiving, by the remote wireless terminal, in further response to the RAB binding update message, a downlink channel resource allocation message, pre-assigning guaranteed downlink data resources for receipt of PTT session media data.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the downlink channel resource allocation message is received via the MAC layer control messaging.

18. An apparatus comprising:

at least one processor, and at least one memory including computer program code for one or more programs, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following;

receiving, by a remote wireless terminal, a command for initiation of media transmission for a push-to-talk (PTT) session over a mobile communications network;

generating, by the remote wireless terminal, a UT talk burst request message, and transmitting the UT talk burst request message to a wireless gateway of the mobile communications network, wherein the UT talk burst request message is transmitted via media access control (MAC) layer control messaging;

receiving, in response to the UT talk burst request message, a talk burst grant message from the wireless gateway.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the UT talk burst request message includes terminal identification information and radio bearer flow identification information.

20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the apparatus is further caused to perform the following:

receiving, by the remote wireless terminal, in further response to the UT talk burst request message, an uplink channel resource allocation message, pre-assigning guaranteed uplink data resources for transmission of PTT session media data.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the uplink channel resource allocation message is received via the MAC layer control messaging.

22. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the apparatus is further caused to perform the following:

receiving, by the remote wireless terminal, a command for termination of the media transmission for the PTT session;

generating, by the remote wireless terminal, a UT talk burst release message, and transmitting the UT talk burst release message to the wireless gateway, wherein the UT talk burst release message is transmitted via the MAC layer control messaging over the wireless channel; and

receiving, in response to the UT talk burst release message, a talk burst revoke message from the wireless gateway.

23. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising, prior to the receipt by the remote wireless terminal of the command for initiation of media transmission for the PTT session:

receiving, by the remote wireless terminal, a command for initiation of the PTT session, including a PTT session identifier;

generating a radio access bearer (RAB) binding create message, including the PTT session identifier and RAB binding information that provides information for associating the PTT session with respective radio access bearers (RABs);

transmitting the RAB binding create message to the wireless gateway;

receiving, in response to the RAB binding create message, a RAB binding response message from the wireless gateway; and

performing a protocol signaling process for establishing one or more packet data protocol (PDP) bearers over a core network of the communications network, and for establishment of the PTT session on a PTT application server.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the RAB binding information comprises one or more of RAB identifiers, application type identifiers identifying one or more application types that will utilize the associated RABs, and application-specific information, wherein the application-specific information includes one or more of PTT session signaling mode information, PTT channel information, PTT group information and PTT session information.

25. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the apparatus is further caused to perform the following, prior to the receipt by the remote wireless terminal of the command for initiation of media transmission for the PTT session:

receiving, by the remote wireless terminal, a session invite message for the PTT session, including a PTT session identifier;

generating a radio access bearer (RAB) binding create message, including the PTT session identifier and RAB binding information that provides information for associating the PTT session with respective radio access bearers (RABs);

transmitting the RAB binding create message to the wireless gateway;

receiving, in response to the RAB binding create message, a RAB binding response message from the wireless gateway; and

performing a protocol signaling process for establishing one or more packet data protocol (PDP) bearers over a core network of the communications network, and for establishment of the PTT session on a PTT application server.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the RAB binding information comprises one or more of RAB identifiers, application type identifiers identifying one or more application types that will utilize the associated RABs, and application-specific information, wherein the application-specific information includes one or more of PTT session signaling mode information, PTT channel information, PTT group information and PTT session information.

27. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the apparatus is further caused to perform the following, prior to the receipt by the remote wireless terminal of the command for initiation of media transmission for the PTT session:

receiving, by the remote wireless terminal, a command for initiation of a PTT client;

generating a radio access bearer (RAB) binding create message, including RAB binding information that provides information for associating the PTT session with respective radio access bearers (RABs);

transmitting the RAB binding create message to the wireless gateway;

receiving, in response to the RAB binding create message, a first RAB binding response message from the wireless gateway;

performing a protocol signaling process for establishing one or more packet data protocol (PDP) bearers over a core network of the communications network, and for establishment of a pre-established session on a PTT application server;

receiving, by the remote wireless terminal, a command for initiation of the PTT session;

generating a RAB binding update message, including a PTT session identifier;

transmitting the RAB binding update message to the wireless gateway;

receiving, in response to the RAB binding update message, a second RAB binding response message from the wireless gateway; and

performing a protocol signaling process for associating the PTT session with the pre-established session based on the PTT session identifier.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the RAB binding information comprises one or more of RAB identifiers, application type identifiers identifying one or more application types that will utilize the associated RABs, and application-specific information, wherein the application-specific information includes one or more of PTT session signaling mode information, PTT channel information, PTT group information and PTT session information.

29. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the apparatus is further caused to perform the following:

receiving, by the remote wireless terminal, in further response to the RAB binding update message, a downlink channel resource allocation message, pre-assigning guaranteed downlink data resources for receipt of PTT session media data.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the downlink channel resource allocation message is received via the MAC layer control messaging.

31. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the apparatus is further caused to perform the following, prior to the receipt by the remote wireless terminal of the command for initiation of media transmission for the PTT session:

receiving, by the remote wireless terminal, a command for initiation of a PTT client;

generating a radio access bearer (RAB) binding create message, including RAB binding information that provides information for associating the PTT session with respective radio access bearers (RABs);

transmitting the RAB binding create message to the wireless gateway;

receiving, in response to the RAB binding create message, a first RAB binding response message from the wireless gateway;

performing a protocol signaling process for establishing one or more packet data protocol (PDP) bearers over a core network of the communications network, and for establishment of a pre-established session on a PTT application server;

receiving, by the remote wireless terminal, a talk burst control connect message from the PTT application server, including a PTT session identifier;

generating a RAB binding update message, including the PTT session identifier;

transmitting the RAB binding update message to the wireless gateway; and

receiving, in response to the RAB binding update message, a second RAB binding response message from the wireless gateway.

32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the RAB binding information comprises one or more of RAB identifiers, application type identifiers identifying one or more application types that will utilize the associated RABs, and application-specific information, wherein the application-specific information includes one or more of PTT session signaling mode information, PTT channel information, PTT group information and PTT session information.

33. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the apparatus is further caused to perform the following:

receiving, by the remote wireless terminal, in further response to the RAB binding update message, a downlink channel resource allocation message, pre-assigning guaranteed downlink data resources for receipt of PTT session media data.

34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the downlink channel resource allocation message is received via the MAC layer control messaging.