HANDING OFF BETWEEN NETWORKS WITH DIFFERENT RADIO ACCESS TECHNOLOGIES DURING A COMMUNICATION SESSION THAT IS ALLOCATED QUALITY OF SERVICE

• US 20140078898A1
• Filed: 09/18/2013
• Published: 03/20/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: ANCHAN, Kirankumar, SANTHANAM, Arvind, PALADUGU, Karthika
• Application Number:
  US14/030,457
• Publication Number:
  US 20140078898A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/230
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/0268 using specific QoS parameters for wireless networks, e.g. QoS class identifier [QCI] or guaranteed bit rate [GBR] negotiating SLA or negotiating QoS H04W28/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0044 of quality context information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0066 of control information between different types of networks in order to establish a new radio link in the target network

Abstract

In an embodiment, a UE performs an IRAT handoff from a source network with a first RAT to a target network with a second RAT, and obtains a channel from the target network. The UE reports a level of QoS on the channel to a server via the target network. The server issues instructions to the UE and/or the target network for modifying the level of QoS in response to the report based on if the level of QoS is insufficient to support a particular type of communication session. In another embodiment, in conjunction with an IRAT handoff, the source network sends a handoff preparation message to the target network to facilitate the target network to initiate setup of a set of channels with a non-IMS application-specific QoS configuration for the UE on the target network in conjunction with the handoff.

Claims

1. A method of operating a user equipment (UE), comprising:

maintaining a first channel via a first network with a first radio access technology (RAT) type, the first channel allocated a first level of Quality of Service (QoS);

handing off from the first network to a second network with a second RAT type that is different from the first RAT type;

obtaining a second channel from the second network in conjunction with the handoff, the second channel allocated a second level of QoS;

reporting the second level of QoS to a server that is external to the first and second networks and is configured to arbitrate communication sessions for the UE; and

receiving a set of instructions from the server to modify the second level of QoS on the second channel in response to the report.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

performing a UE-initiated QoS adjustment procedure with the second network in response to the received set of instructions to transition the second level of QoS on the second channel to the first level of QoS or a third level of QoS.

3. The method of claim 2,

wherein the handoff occurs during a communication session that is supported by the first channel before the handoff and is supported by the second channel after the handoff, and

wherein the UE-initiated QoS adjustment procedure is delayed after the communication session is terminated.

4. The method of claim 2,

wherein the handoff occurs when the first channel is not supporting a communication session, and

wherein the UE-initiated QoS adjustment procedure is performed without delay.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first RAT type is Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) and the second RAT type is Long Term Evolution (LTE).

6. A method of operating a network component of a target network, comprising:

establishing, in conjunction with a handoff of a user equipment (UE) from a source network with a first radio access technology (RAT) type that is different from a second RAT type of the target network, a channel that is assigned to the UE with a given level of Quality of Service (QoS);

receiving, from the UE, a report that indicates the given level of QoS;

forwarding the report to a server that is external to the source and target networks and is configured to arbitrate communication sessions for the UE; and

receiving a set of instructions from the server that is external to the source and target networks to modify the given level of QoS on the channel in response to the forwarded report.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

performing a network-initiated QoS adjustment procedure in response to the received set of instructions to transition the given level of QoS on the channel to a different level of QoS.

8. The method of claim 7,

wherein the handoff occurs during a communication session that is supported by a given channel on the source network before the handoff and is supported by the channel after the handoff, and

wherein the network-initiated QoS adjustment procedure is delayed after the communication session is terminated.

9. The method of claim 7,

wherein the handoff occurs when the first channel is not supporting a communication session, and

wherein the network-initiated QoS adjustment procedure is performed without delay.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the first RAT type is Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) and the second RAT type is Long Term Evolution (LTE).

11. A method of operating a server that is configured to arbitrate a given type of communication session, comprising:

determining at the server that a user equipment (UE) has handed off from a first network with a first radio access technology (RAT) type to a second network with a second RAT type and that the UE has been allocated a channel with a first level of Quality of Service (QoS) by the second network, wherein the server is external to the first and second networks;

determining whether the first level of QoS is sufficient for supporting the given type of communication session;

permitting the UE to use the channel for engaging in the given type of communication session without QoS modification if the determining determines that the first level of QoS is sufficient; and

delivering a set of instructions to an apparatus that requests the apparatus to modify the first level of QoS on the channel to a second level of QoS if the determining determines that the first level of QoS is insufficient.

12. The method of claim 11,

wherein the apparatus corresponds to the UE, and

wherein the set of instructions is configured to trigger the UE to perform a UE-initiated QoS adjustment procedure for modifying the first level of QoS on the channel to the second level of QoS.

13. The method of claim 11,

wherein the apparatus corresponds to a network component of the second network, and

wherein the set of instructions is configured to trigger the network component of the second network to perform a network-initiated QoS adjustment procedure for modifying the first level of QoS on the channel to the second level of QoS.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the first RAT type is Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) and the second RAT type is Long Term Evolution (LTE).

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the determination of whether the first level of QoS is sufficient for supporting the given type of communication session includes identifying a set of application-specific QoS requirements for the given type of communication session, and comparing the identified set of application-specific QoS requirements with the first level of QoS.

16. A method of operating a network component of a first network with a first radio access technology (RAT) type that is serving a user equipment (UE) undergoing a handoff to a second network with a second RAT type, comprising:

determining to handoff the UE from the first network to the second network while the UE is being supported by the first network with a first set of channels having a first application-specific Quality of Service (QoS) configuration that is mapped to an application of a given type, the application of the given type corresponding to a non-Internet Protocol (IP) Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) application; and

transmitting a handoff preparation message to the second network that identifies the application of the given type to facilitate the second network to initiate setup of a second set of channels with a second application-specific QoS configuration for the UE on the second network in conjunction with the handoff.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the handoff preparation message identifies the application of the given type (i) by attaching a QoS Class Indicator (QCI) that is reserved for the application of the given type, (ii) via DiffServ Code Point (DSCP) signaling and/or (iii) by attaching a combination of QCI and access point name (APN) information.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the first RAT type is Long Term Evolution (LTE) and the second RAT type is Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS).

19. The method of claim 18,

wherein the network component corresponds to a source Mobility Management Entity (MME) of the first network, and

wherein the handoff preparation message corresponds to a Forward Relocation Request message that is sent from the source MME to a target Serving GRPS Support Node (SGSN) of the second network.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the first RAT type is Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) and the second RAT type is Long Term Evolution (LTE).

21. The method of claim 20,

wherein the network component corresponds to a source Serving GRPS Support Node (SGSN) of the first network, and

wherein the handoff preparation message corresponds to a Forward Relocation Request message that is sent from the source SGSN to a target Mobility Management Entity (MME) of the second network.

22. A method of operating a network component of a first network with a first radio access technology (RAT) type that is a target of a handoff for a user equipment (UE) being served by a second network with a second RAT type, comprising:

receiving a handoff preparation message from the first network that identifies an application of the given type, the application of the given type corresponding to a non-Internet Protocol (IP) Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) application;

identifying an application-specific Quality of Service (QoS) configuration that is mapped to the application of the given type based on the identification of the application of the given type from the handoff preparation message; and

setting up a set of channels with the identified application-specific QoS configuration for the UE on the second network in conjunction with the handoff.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the handoff preparation message identifies the application of the given type (i) by attaching a QoS Class Indicator (QCI) that is reserved for the application of the given type, (ii) via DiffServ Code Point (DSCP) signaling and/or (iii) by attaching a combination of QCI and access point name (APN) information.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the first RAT type is Long Term Evolution (LTE) and the second RAT type is Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS).

25. The method of claim 24,

wherein the network component corresponds to a target Mobility Management Entity (MME) of the first network, and

wherein the handoff preparation message corresponds to a Forward Relocation Request message that is sent to the target MME from a source Serving GRPS Support Node (SGSN) of the second network.

26. The method of claim 22, wherein the first RAT type is Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) and the second RAT type is Long Term Evolution (LTE).

27. The method of claim 26,

wherein the network component corresponds to a target Serving GRPS Support Node (SGSN) of the first network, and

wherein the handoff preparation message corresponds to a Forward Relocation Request message that is sent to the target SGSN to a source Mobility Management Entity (MME) of the second network.

28. A user equipment (UE), comprising:

means for maintaining a first channel via a first network with a first radio access technology (RAT) type, the first channel allocated a first level of Quality of Service (QoS);

means for handing off from the first network to a second network with a second RAT type that is different from the first RAT type;

means for obtaining a second channel from the second network in conjunction with the handoff, the second channel allocated a second level of QoS;

means for reporting the second level of QoS to a server that is external to the first and second networks and is configured to arbitrate communication sessions for the UE; and

means for receiving a set of instructions from the server to modify the second level of QoS on the second channel in response to the report.

29. A network component of a target network, comprising:

means for establishing, in conjunction with a handoff of a user equipment (UE) from a source network with a first radio access technology (RAT) type that is different from a second RAT type of the target network, a channel that is assigned to the UE with a given level of Quality of Service (QoS);

means for receiving, from the UE, a report that indicates the given level of QoS;

means for forwarding the report to a server that is external to the source and target networks and is configured to arbitrate communication sessions for the UE; and

means for receiving a set of instructions from the server that is external to the source and target networks to modify the given level of QoS on the channel in response to the forwarded report.

30. A server that is configured to arbitrate a given type of communication session, comprising:

means for determining at the server that a user equipment (UE) has handed off from a first network with a first radio access technology (RAT) type to a second network with a second RAT type and that the UE has been allocated a channel with a first level of Quality of Service (QoS) by the second network, wherein the server is external to the first and second networks;

means for determining whether the first level of QoS is sufficient for supporting the given type of communication session;

means for permitting the UE to use the channel for engaging in the given type of communication session without QoS modification if the determining determines that the first level of QoS is sufficient; and

means for delivering a set of instructions to an apparatus that requests the apparatus to modify the first level of QoS on the channel to a second level of QoS if the determining determines that the first level of QoS is insufficient.

31. A network component of a first network with a first radio access technology (RAT) type that is serving a user equipment (UE) undergoing a handoff to a second network with a second RAT type, comprising:

means for determining to handoff the UE from the first network to the second network while the UE is being supported by the first network with a first set of channels having a first application-specific Quality of Service (QoS) configuration that is mapped to an application of a given type, the application of the given type corresponding to a non-Internet Protocol (IP) Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) application; and

means for transmitting a handoff preparation message to the second network that identifies the application of the given type to facilitate the second network to initiate setup of a second set of channels with a second application-specific QoS configuration for the UE on the second network in conjunction with the handoff.

32. A network component of a first network with a first radio access technology (RAT) type that is a target of a handoff for a user equipment (UE) being served by a second network with a second RAT type, comprising:

means for receiving a handoff preparation message from the first network that identifies an application of the given type, the application of the given type corresponding to a non-Internet Protocol (IP) Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) application;

means for identifying an application-specific Quality of Service (QoS) configuration that is mapped to the application of the given type based on the identification of the application of the given type from the handoff preparation message; and

means for setting up a set of channels with the identified application-specific QoS configuration for the UE on the second network in conjunction with the handoff.

33. A user equipment (UE), comprising:

logic configured to maintain a first channel via a first network with a first radio access technology (RAT) type, the first channel allocated a first level of Quality of Service (QoS);

logic configured to hand off from the first network to a second network with a second RAT type that is different from the first RAT type;

logic configured to obtain a second channel from the second network in conjunction with the handoff, the second channel allocated a second level of QoS;

logic configured to report the second level of QoS to a server that is external to the first and second networks and is configured to arbitrate communication sessions for the UE; and

logic configured to receive a set of instructions from the server to modify the second level of QoS on the second channel in response to the report.

34. A network component of a target network, comprising:

logic configured to establish, in conjunction with a handoff of a user equipment (UE) from a source network with a first radio access technology (RAT) type that is different from a second RAT type of the target network, a channel that is assigned to the UE with a given level of Quality of Service (QoS);

logic configured to receive, from the UE, a report that indicates the given level of QoS;

logic configured to forward the report to a server that is external to the source and target networks and is configured to arbitrate communication sessions for the UE; and

logic configured to receive a set of instructions from the server that is external to the source and target networks to modify the given level of QoS on the channel in response to the forwarded report.

35. A server that is configured to arbitrate a given type of communication session, comprising:

logic configured to determine at the server that a user equipment (UE) has handed off from a first network with a first radio access technology (RAT) type to a second network with a second RAT type and that the UE has been allocated a channel with a first level of Quality of Service (QoS) by the second network, wherein the server is external to the first and second networks;

logic configured to determine whether the first level of QoS is sufficient for supporting the given type of communication session;

logic configured to permit the UE to use the channel for engaging in the given type of communication session without QoS modification if the determining determines that the first level of QoS is sufficient; and

logic configured to deliver a set of instructions to an apparatus that requests the apparatus to modify the first level of QoS on the channel to a second level of QoS if the determining determines that the first level of QoS is insufficient.

36. A network component of a first network with a first radio access technology (RAT) type that is serving a user equipment (UE) undergoing a handoff to a second network with a second RAT type, comprising:

logic configured to determine to handoff the UE from the first network to the second network while the UE is being supported by the first network with a first set of channels having a first application-specific Quality of Service (QoS) configuration that is mapped to an application of a given type, the application of the given type corresponding to a non-Internet Protocol (IP) Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) application; and

logic configured to transmit a handoff preparation message to the second network that identifies the application of the given type to facilitate the second network to initiate setup of a second set of channels with a second application-specific QoS configuration for the UE on the second network in conjunction with the handoff.

37. A network component of a first network with a first radio access technology (RAT) type that is a target of a handoff for a user equipment (UE) being served by a second network with a second RAT type, comprising:

logic configured to receive a handoff preparation message from the first network that identifies an application of the given type, the application of the given type corresponding to a non-Internet Protocol (IP) Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) application;

logic configured to identify an application-specific Quality of Service (QoS) configuration that is mapped to the application of the given type based on the identification of the application of the given type from the handoff preparation message; and

logic configured to set up a set of channels with the identified application-specific QoS configuration for the UE on the second network in conjunction with the handoff.

38. A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a user equipment (UE), cause the UE to perform operations, the instructions comprising:

at least one instruction to cause the UE to maintain a first channel via a first network with a first radio access technology (RAT) type, the first channel allocated a first level of Quality of Service (QoS);

at least one instruction to cause the UE to hand off from the first network to a second network with a second RAT type that is different from the first RAT type;

at least one instruction to cause the UE to obtain a second channel from the second network in conjunction with the handoff, the second channel allocated a second level of QoS;

at least one instruction to cause the UE to report the second level of QoS to a server that is external to the first and second networks and is configured to arbitrate communication sessions for the UE; and

at least one instruction to cause the UE to receive a set of instructions from the server to modify the second level of QoS on the second channel in response to the report.

39. A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a network component of a target network, cause the network component to perform operations, the instructions comprising:

at least one instruction to cause the network component to establish, in conjunction with a handoff of a user equipment (UE) from a source network with a first radio access technology (RAT) type that is different from a second RAT type of the target network, a channel that is assigned to the UE with a given level of Quality of Service (QoS);

at least one instruction to cause the network component to receive, from the UE, a report that indicates the given level of QoS;

at least one instruction to cause the network component to forward the report to a server that is external to the source and target networks and is configured to arbitrate communication sessions for the UE; and

at least one instruction to cause the network component to receive a set of instructions from the server that is external to the source and target networks to modify the given level of QoS on the channel in response to the forwarded report.

40. A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a server that is configured to arbitrate a given type of communication session, cause the server to perform operations, the instructions comprising:

at least one instruction to cause the server to determine at the server that a user equipment (UE) has handed off from a first network with a first radio access technology (RAT) type to a second network with a second RAT type and that the UE has been allocated a channel with a first level of Quality of Service (QoS) by the second network, wherein the server is external to the first and second networks;

at least one instruction to cause the server to determine whether the first level of QoS is sufficient for supporting the given type of communication session;

at least one instruction to cause the server to permit the UE to use the channel for engaging in the given type of communication session without QoS modification if the determining determines that the first level of QoS is sufficient; and

at least one instruction to cause the server to deliver a set of instructions to an apparatus that requests the apparatus to modify the first level of QoS on the channel to a second level of QoS if the determining determines that the first level of QoS is insufficient.

41. A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a network component of a first network with a first radio access technology (RAT) type that is serving a user equipment (UE) undergoing a handoff to a second network with a second RAT type, cause the network component to perform operations, the instructions comprising:

at least one instruction to cause the network component to determine to handoff the UE from the first network to the second network while the UE is being supported by the first network with a first set of channels having a first application-specific Quality of Service (QoS) configuration that is mapped to an application of a given type, the application of the given type corresponding to a non-Internet Protocol (IP) Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) application; and

at least one instruction to cause the network component to transmit a handoff preparation message to the second network that identifies the application of the given type to facilitate the second network to initiate setup of a second set of channels with a second application-specific QoS configuration for the UE on the second network in conjunction with the handoff.

42. A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a network component of a first network with a first radio access technology (RAT) type that is a target of a handoff for a user equipment (UE) being served by a second network with a second RAT type, cause the network component to perform operations, the instructions comprising:

at least one instruction to cause the network component to receive a handoff preparation message from the first network that identifies an application of the given type, the application of the given type corresponding to a non-Internet Protocol (IP) Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) application;

at least one instruction to cause the network component to identify an application-specific Quality of Service (QoS) configuration that is mapped to the application of the given type based on the identification of the application of the given type from the handoff preparation message; and

at least one instruction to cause the network component to set up a set of channels with the identified application-specific QoS configuration for the UE on the second network in conjunction with the handoff.